Cocos nucifera Leaf Extract-Derived Sustainable Silver Nanocatalysts for Environmental Remediation

Background: Pollution of ecosystems by hazardous organic dyes and toxic byproducts from industrial effluents of the textile, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries is a growing environ-mental and public health concern. Thus, studies have focused on finding effective methods for the degradation of hazardous organic dyes. The most promising technique is the use of nanoparticles as a catalyst. Specifically, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been extensively researched for their ef-fective treatment of wastewater. Methodology: In this study, five leaf varieties of Cocos nucifera, namely Red Kundira, Gon thambili, Thaembili, Ran thaembili, and Brown Kundira, were used to synthesize AgNPs. These AgNPs were then employed to perform photocatalytic degradation studies using common industrial dyes, such as methyl orange (MO) and para-nitrophenol (PNP), as well as cytotoxicity assays. Results and Discussion: The photocatalytic activity of AgNPs demonstrated faster degradation at a concentration of 267 ppm in the presence of sunlight and sodium borohydride (NaBH₄), while 4000 ppm AgNPs also exhibited considerable degradation under the same conditions. The catalytic activity of the AgNPs was evaluated using the degradation of PNP in the presence of NaBH₄, which showed notable degradation. The highest degradation was observed with Gon thaembili_AgNP (GT_AgNP). Cytotoxicity screening using two different concentrations of AgNPs (800 ppm and 240 ppm) showed 100% viability against Artemia salina. Conclusion: It can be concluded that AgNPs synthesized from the extracts of coconut leaves may be utilized in the bioremediation of environmental pollutants. result: The photocatalytic activity of AgNPs was studied using a common industrial dye, methyl orange (MO), which showed faster degradation in 267 ppm AgNPs in the presence of sunlight and sodium borohydride (NaBH4), while 4000 ppm AgNPs also showed a considerable degradation under the same conditions. PNP degradation using NaBH4 was used to test the catalytic activity of the AgNPs, and it showed notable degradation. The highest degradation is observed in Gon thaembili AgNP. The cytotoxicity screening using two different concentrations of AgNPs showed 100% viability against Artemia salina.