Eco-friendly silver nanoparticle synthesis using Salvia Rosmarinus essential oil for mercury removal from environmental samples before analysis by CV-AAS

In this study, the essential oils extracted from Salvia Rosmarinus (Rosemary) leaves found in the Iraqi market were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). A total of 33 compounds were identified based on their molecular masses, peak areas, and retention times. GC-MS analysis revealed high peak values for the main phytoconstituents, including Z)-9,17-Octadecadienal (28.39%), (Z)-9,17-Octadecadienal (28.39%), and Hexatriacontane (7.14%). The functional groups, such as amines and alkenes, were also verified by FT-IR spectroscopy. In addition, essential oils are extracted using a Clevenger apparatus, and the Salvia Rosmarinus leaf extract is subsequently used to produce eco-friendly silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The AgNPs chart showed a band at 435 nm, indicating nanoparticle formation, as observed by UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy. FTIR shows that shifts in the active group peaks indicate the association of silver with volatile oils. Silver nanoparticles with a size of 68.4 ± 18.1 nm were discovered using FE-SEM. The XRD pattern clearly demonstrates the crystalline nature of the AgNPs synthesized. Zeta potential experiments for AgNPs were stable, reaching -23.46 ± 4.7 mV. The concentration of silver essential oil nanoparticles AgEO (B2) was 0.08 mg mL-1. AgNPs also remove mercury (Hg2+) vapour from air, and rosemary oil can extract mercury from water and wastewater at pH 8.5. The recovery (%), preconcentration factor (PF), LOD, LOQ, and linear range (LR) of mercury extraction from 10 mL of water samples are>95%, 9.8, 0.06 µg L-1, 0.20 µg L-1, and 0.05-10 µg L-1, respectively, by cold vapor-atomic absorption spectrometry (CV-AAS).