Abstract
In this study, the effects of Ag-ZnO nano-composites (NCs) on the germination of peanut (Arachis hypogaea) and kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) have been investigated. Two synthesis techniques have been utilized including green Synthesis and sol–gel method to compare their effect on germination of both types of beans. Various inquring approaches including XRD, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), EDX and UV–vis spectroscopy were employed to characterize the synthesized Ag-ZnO NCs. The XRD pattern showed that the synthesized powdered Ag-ZnO nano-composites have a highly crystalline pure structure without any secondary phase. SEM disclosed the spherical-shaped Ag NPs and rod-like ZnO NPs for green and sol–gel synthesis, respectively. The EDX spectra confirmed the materials through respective peaks of Ag, Zn and O which validates the synthesis of Ag-ZnO NCs. The different concentrations of nanostructures (100 ppm, 500 ppm and 1000 ppm) have been applied on peanut and kidney beans to study the variation in germination rate. The germinability, germination rate percentage, mean germination time (MGT) and root and shoot lengths are employed for consideration of variations in germination rate. In contrast to 1000 ppm concentration, both types of seeds present potential results at 500 ppm for green synthesis as well as sol–gel synthesis approach. This research is highly suitable for researchers for choice of suitable synthesis method as well as for food industry for the improvements in germination rates.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Afsheen S et al (2020) Synthesis and characterization of metal sulphide nanoparticles to investigate the effect of nanoparticles on germination of soybean and wheat seeds. Mater Chem Phys 252:23216
Alejandre MG et al (2021) Nanomaterial-aided seed regeneration in the global warming scenario: multiwalled carbon nanotubes, gold nanoparticles and heat-aged maize seeds. Appl Nanosci 11(5):1531–1547
Bourfaa F et al (2020) Influence of seed layer surface position on morphology and photocatalysis efficiency of ZnO nanorods and nanoflowers. J Nanomater
Chaudhuri SK, Malodia L (2017) Biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using leaf extract of Calotropis gigantea: characterization and its evaluation on tree seedling growth in nursery stage. Appl Nanosci 7(8):501–512
Fanfair D, Desai S, Kelty C (2007) The early history of nanotechnology. Connexions 6:1–15
Ijaz M et al (2020a) A review on antibacterial properties of biologically synthesized zinc oxide nanostructures. J Inorg Organomet Polym Mater 30:2815–2826
Ijaz M et al (2020b) A review on Ag-nanostructures for enhancement in shelf time of fruits. J Inorg Organomet Polym Mater 30(5):1475–1482
Iqbal T et al (2019) Facile synthesis and antimicrobial activity of CdS-Ag2S nanocomposites. Bioorgan Chem 90:103064
Iqbal T et al (2020) Simple synthesis of Ag-doped CdS nanostructure material with excellent properties. Appl Nanosci 10(1):23–28
Iqbal T et al (2021) Chromium incorporated copper vanadate nano-materials for hydrogen evolution by water splitting. Appl Nanosci 11(5):1661–1671
Jiang Z et al (2014) Ag size-dependent visible-light-responsive photoactivity of Ag–TiO 2 nanostructure based on surface plasmon resonance. J Mater Chem A 2(46):19861–19866
Kakhki RM, Tayebee R, Ahsani F (2017) New and highly efficient Ag doped ZnO visible nano photocatalyst for removing of methylene blue. J Mater Sci Mater Electron 28(8):5941–5952
Karunakaran C, Rajeswari V, Gomathisankar P (2011) Enhanced photocatalytic and antibacterial activities of sol–gel synthesized ZnO and Ag-ZnO. Mater Sci Semicond Process 14(2):133–138
Khan MI et al (2020) Green synthesis of magnesium oxide nanoparticles using Dalbergia sissoo extract for photocatalytic activity and antibacterial efficacy. Appl Nanosci 10(7):2351–2364
Liang A et al (2012) The surface-plasmon-resonance effect of nanogold/silver and its analytical applications. TrAC Trends Anal Chem 37:32–47
Munir T et al (2019) Impact of silver dopant on structural, optical and electrical properties of ZnO nanoparticles. J Ovonic Res 15(3):173–179
Nabi G et al (2020) Green synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles using lemon peel extract: their optical and photocatalytic properties. Int J Environ Anal Chem 1–9
Nadeem Riaz K et al (2019) Facile hydrothermal synthesis of 3D flower-like La-MoS2 nanostructure for photocatalytic hydrogen energy production. Int J Energy Res 43(1):491–499
Nayagam V, Gabriel M, Palanisamy K (2018) Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles mediated by Coccinia grandis and Phyllanthus emblica: a comparative comprehension. Appl Nanosci 8(3):205–219
Pachauri T et al (2013) SEM-EDX characterization of individual coarse particles in Agra, India. Aerosol Air Qual Res 13(2):523–536
Panchal P et al (2019) Phytoextract mediated ZnO/MgO nanocomposites for photocatalytic and antibacterial activities. J Photochem Photobiol A Chem 385:112049
Panchal P et al (2020) Biogenic mediated Ag/ZnO nanocomposites for photocatalytic and antibacterial activities towards disinfection of water. J Colloid Interface Sci 563:370–380
Patra JK, Baek K-H (2014) Green nanobiotechnology: factors affecting synthesis and characterization techniques. J Nanomater
Peng S et al (2010) Reversing the size-dependence of surface plasmon resonances. Proc Natl Acad Sci 107(33):14530–14534
Rajbongshi B et al (2014) Synthesis and characterization of plasmonic visible active Ag/ZnO photocatalyst. J Mater Sci Mater Electron 25(7):2969–2973
Raju D, N Paneliya, UJ Mehta (2014) Extracellular synthesis of silver nanoparticles using living peanut seedling. Appl Nanosci 4(7):875-879
Ranal MA et al (2009) Calculating germination measurements and organizing spreadsheets. Braz J Bot 32(4):849–855
Raskar S, Laware S (2014) Effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles on cytology and seed germination in onion. Int J Curr Microbiol App Sci 3(2):467–473
Saoud K et al (2018) Heterogeneous Ag and ZnOBased Photocatalytic ForWaste Water Treatment Under Different Irradiation Conditions
Sardar D et al (2017) Facile synthesis of ZnO–Ag nanocomposite and its photocatalytic activity. Mater Res Exp 4(5):055011
Sedghi M, Hadi M, Toluie SG (2013) Effect of nano zinc oxide on the germination parameters of soybean seeds under drought stress. Ann West Univ Timisoara Ser Biol 16(2):73
Shamhari NM et al (2018) Synthesis and characterization of zinc oxide nanoparticles with small particle size distribution. Acta Chim Slov 65(3):578–585
Tahir MB et al (2021) Semiconductor nanomaterials for the detoxification of dyes in real wastewater under visible-light photocatalysis. Int J Environ Anal Chem 101(12):1735–1749
Talebian N, Amininezhad SM, Doudi M (2013) Controllable synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles and their morphology-dependent antibacterial and optical properties. J Photochem Photobiol B 120:66–73
Türkyılmaz ŞŞ, Güy N, Özacar M (2017) Photocatalytic efficiencies of Ni, Mn, Fe and Ag doped ZnO nanostructures synthesized by hydrothermal method: the synergistic/antagonistic effect between ZnO and metals. J Photochem Photobiol A 341:39–50
Valencia-Hernandez J et al (2020) Optical absorption spectra of germinated seedlings from seeds exposed to vehicle polluting gases. SN Appl Sci 2(4):1–10
Xiang Q et al (2010) Ag nanoparticle embedded-ZnO nanorods synthesized via a photochemical method and its gas-sensing properties. Sens Actuators B Chem 143(2):635–640
Xue H et al (2008) Influence of Ag-doping on the optical properties of ZnO films. Appl Surf Sci 255(5):1806–1810
Zhang JZ, Noguez C (2008) Plasmonic optical properties and applications of metal nanostructures. Plasmonics 3(4):127–150
Zook JM et al (2011) Stable nanoparticle aggregates/agglomerates of different sizes and the effect of their size on hemolytic cytotoxicity. Nanotoxicology 5(4):517–530
Acknowledgements
The author (Imen Kebaili) extends her appreciation to the Deanship of Scientific Research at King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia for funding this work through Research Groups Program under Grant Number (R.G.P.2/179/42).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
TI: Funding acquisition, Conceptualization, Supervision. SA: Writing—original draft. MZ: Formal analysis, Data curation. HK: Validation, Project administration. IK: Funding acquisition, Conceptualization. HA: Manuscript Writing, Project administration.
Corresponding authors
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Iqbal, T., Azhar, S., Zafar, M. et al. Synthesis and characterization of Ag-ZnO nano-composites for investigation of variations in the germination of peanut and kidney beans. Appl Nanosci 11, 2767–2777 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13204-021-02244-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13204-021-02244-1