Eco-Friendly Techniques for the Synthesis of Silver Oxide Nanoparticles: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

The environmentally friendly synthesis of silver oxide nanoparticles (Ag2O NPs) has appeared as a long-term and efficient alternative to traditional fabrication methods. Conventional techniques often include dangerous substances, high temperatures, and expensive instrumentation, posing significant risks to both Human health and the natural world. In contrast, green synthesis leverages Natural resources that are renewable, like plant extracts, microbial cultures, or bio polymeric matrices to act as both reducing and stabilizing agents. This approach is not only cost-effective and easily scalable but also minimizes the environmental footprint by using eco-friendly solvents, primarily water and ethanol, under mild reaction conditions. To ensure the quality and structural properties of the synthesized (Ag2O) NPs, various characterization techniques are employed. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) are critical for investigating the morphology, particle size distribution, and surface topography at high resolution. These are complemented by X-ray Diffraction (XRD) for crystallinity, Fourier-transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) for functional group analysis, and electron microscopy for structural integrity. Due to their unique physicochemical attributes, green synthesized (Ag2O) nanoparticles exhibit exceptional performance in photo catalysis, antibacterial activity, and various biomedical applications. This review oriented abstract emphasizes the ecological and functional superiority of green methodologies, highlighting their pivotal role in advancing environmentally responsible nanotechnology.