Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Synthesis and characterization of Ag–TiO2 nano-composites to study their effect on seed germination

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Applied Nanoscience Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Due to the increasing population, the production of food and boosting its productivity is the major challenge around the globe. Nanotechnology is a crucial modern science that has brilliant applications in all sciences including agriculture sectors. Nano-particles have a considerable impact on the growth, the germination rate of the plants. Silver (AgNPs), Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) and their composites (Ag–TiO2 NCs) in powdered form have been synthesized by chemical reduction method and precipitation method using silver nitrate (AgNO3), titanium tetra-butoxide (TBT), sodium boro-hydride with acetic acid. The morphological and structural properties of synthesized nanoparticles and nanocomposites were studied by UV–visible spectroscopy, Energy Dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy (EDX), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-Ray Powder Diffraction (XRD). The Energy bandgap for AgNPs was 2.8, 3.56, and 3.18 eV for TiO2 and Ag–TiO2 NCs, respectively, as analyzed by UV–visible spectroscopy. The peaks in the EDX spectrum confirmed the composition of material formation and purity of AgNPs, TiO2 NPs, and Ag–TiO2 NCs. Seeds of soybean and wheat were sowed in Petri dishes in the suspension of AgNPs, TiO2 NPs, and Ag–TiO2 NCs separately with various concentrations of NPs. The effect of various concentrations of metallic NPs and NCs on the different parameters of germination has been studied. This study revealed that applications of metallic NPs and NCs can help to enhance the germination, root and shoot length and mean germination time as compared to control treatment. It was found that suitable small-time soaking favors a high germination rate. Furthermore, a lesser concentration of AgNPs, Ag–NCs significantly increases germinability, suppress germination rate, elongates root and shoot length and reduce mean germination time.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14

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 252:123216

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Almalah HI, Alzahrani HA, Abdelkader HS (2019) Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using cinnamomum zylinicum and their synergistic effect against multi-drug resistance bacteria. J Nanotechnol Res 1(3):95–107

    Google Scholar 

  • Almutairi ZM, Alharbi A (2015) Effect of silver nanoparticles on seed germination of crop plants. J Adv Agric 4(1):283–288

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheng H et al (1995) Hydrothermal preparation of uniform nanosize rutile and anatase particles. Chem Mater 7(4):663–671

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cho K-H et al (2005) The study of antimicrobial activity and preservative effects of nanosilver ingredient. Electrochim Acta 51(5):956–960

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chowdhury S et al (2017) The aggregation study and characterization of silver nanoparticles. Solid State Phenom 263:165–169

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Durán N et al (2007) Antibacterial effect of silver nanoparticles produced by fungal process on textile fabrics and their effluent treatment. J Biomed Nanotechnol 3(2):203–208

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fan S et al (2016) A rapid method to determine germinability and viability of Agriophyllum squarrosum (Amaranthaceae) seeds. Seed Sci Technol 44(2):410–415

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feng Y et al (2015) Can Tauc plot extrapolation be used for direct-band-gap semiconductor nanocrystals? J Appl Phys 117(12):125701

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haider AJ, Jameel ZN, Taha SY (2015) Synthesis and characterization of TiO2 nanoparticles via sol-gel method by pulse laser ablation. Eng Technol J 33(5 Part (B) Scientific):761–771

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamouda RA et al (2019) Synthesis and biological characterization of silver nanoparticles derived from the cyanobacterium Oscillatoria limnetica. Sci Rep 9(1):1–17

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hariharan D, Srinivasan K, Nehru L (2017) Synthesis and characterization of TiO2 nanoparticles using cynodon dactylon leaf extract for antibacterial and anticancer (A549 cell lines) activity. J Nanomed Res 5(6):138–142

    Google Scholar 

  • Ijaz M et al (2020a) A review on Ag-nanostructures for enhancement in shelf time of fruits. J Inorg Organomet Polym Mater 30(5):1475–1482

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ijaz M et al (2020b) A review on antibacterial properties of biologically synthesized zinc oxide nanostructures. J Inorg Organomet Polym Mater 30:2815–2826

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ijaz M, Zafar M (2021) Titanium dioxide nanostructures as efficient photocatalyst: progress, challenges and perspective. Int J Energy Res 45(3):3569–3589

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ijaz M, Zafar M, Iqbal T (2021) Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles by using various extracts: a review. Inorg Nano-Met Chem 51(5):744–755

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ikezawa S et al (2001) Applications of TiO2 film for environmental purification deposited by controlled electron beam-excited plasma. Thin Solid Films 386(2):173–176

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jiang H et al (2004) Plasma-enhanced deposition of silver nanoparticles onto polymer and metal surfaces for the generation of antimicrobial characteristics. J Appl Polym Sci 93(3):1411–1422

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kalemba EM, Ratajczak E (2018) The effect of a doubled glutathione level on parameters affecting the germinability of recalcitrant Acer saccharinum seeds during drying. J Plant Physiol 223:72–83

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Karimi N et al (2012) Application of silver nano-particles for protection of seeds in different soils. Afr J Agric Res 7(12):1863–1869

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klaus-Joerger T et al (2001) Bacteria as workers in the living factory: metal-accumulating bacteria and their potential for materials science. Trends Biotechnol 19(1):15–20

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar N et al (2021) Structural and optical properties of sol–gel derived CuO and Cu2O nanoparticles. Mater Today Proc 41(2):237–241

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lin D, Xing B (2007) Phytotoxicity of nanoparticles: inhibition of seed germination and root growth. Environ Pollut 150(2):243–250

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mahshid S, Askari M, Ghamsari MS (2007) Synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles by hydrolysis and peptization of titanium isopropoxide solution. J Mater Process Technol 189(1–3):296–300

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mattiello A, Marchiol L (2017) Application of nanotechnology in agriculture: assessment of TiO2 nanoparticle effects on barley. In: Janus M (ed) Application of titanium dioxide. InTech, London, pp 23–39

    Google Scholar 

  • Mousavi SR, Rezaei M (2011) Nanotechnology in agriculture and food production. J Appl Environ Biol Sci 1(10):414–419

    Google Scholar 

  • Mukhopadhyay SS (2014) Nanotechnology in agriculture: prospects and constraints. Nanotechnol Sci Appl 7:63

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nguyen HC et al (2016) Preparation of Ag/SiO2 nanocomposite and assessment of its antifungal effect on soybean plant (a Vietnamese species DT-26). Adv Nat Sci Nanosci Nanotechnol 7(4):045014

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Okpala CC (2014) The benefits and applications of nanocomposites. Int J Adv Eng Tech 12:18

    Google Scholar 

  • Prasanna B, Hossain F (2007) Nanotechnology in agriculture. ICAR National Fellow, Division of Genetics, IARI, New Delhi

    Google Scholar 

  • Rawat M et al (2017) Physio-biochemical basis of iron-sulfide nanoparticle induced growth and seed yield enhancement in B. juncea. Plant Physiol Biochem 118:274–284

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sardabi F et al (2014) The effects of 1-methylcyclopropen (1-MCP) and potassium permanganate coated zeolite nanoparticles on shelf life extension and quality loss of golden delicious apples. J Food Process Preserv 38(6):2176–2182

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Savithramma N, Ankanna S, Bhumi G (2012) Effect of nanoparticles on seed germination and seedling growth of Boswellia ovalifoliolata an endemic and endangered medicinal tree taxon. Nano Vis 2(1):2

    Google Scholar 

  • Shahjahan M et al (2017) Synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles by sol-gel technique. Nanosci Nanometrol 3(1):34–39

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang X-F et al (2016) Silver nanoparticles: synthesis, characterization, properties, applications, and therapeutic approaches. Int J Mol Sci 17(9):1534

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zoccal JVM, Arouca FO, Gonçalves JAS (2010) Synthesis and characterization of TiO2 nanoparticles by the method pechini. Mater Sci Forum 660–661:385–390

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences, University of Gujrat, Hafiz Hayat Campus, Gujrat, 50700, Pakistan

    Tahir Iqbal, Fariha Irfan, Maria Zafar & Ahmed Raza

  2. Department of Zoology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Gujrat, Hafiz Hayat Campus, Gujrat, 50700, Pakistan

    Sumera Afsheen

  3. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Gujrat, Hafiz Hayat Campus, Gujrat, 50700, Pakistan

    Sumaira Naeem

Authors
  1. Tahir Iqbal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Fariha Irfan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sumera Afsheen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Maria Zafar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Sumaira Naeem
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Ahmed Raza
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

Tahir Iqbal: Funding acquisition, conceptualization, and supervision. Fariha Iran: writing—original draft. Sumera Afsheen: conceptualization and formal analysis. Maria Zafar: data curation. Sumera Usman: validation. Ahmed Raza: project administration.

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Tahir Iqbal or Maria Zafar.

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

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Iqbal, T., Irfan, F., Afsheen, S. et al. Synthesis and characterization of Ag–TiO2 nano-composites to study their effect on seed germination. Appl Nanosci 11, 2043–2057 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13204-021-01912-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13204-021-01912-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation