Eco-friendly synthesis of Ag/Au bimetallic nanoparticles using Ruta graveolens leaf extract and their catalytic activity for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol

The present research employs Ruta graveolens leaf extract, silver nitrate (AgNO 3 ), and chloroauric acid (HAuCl4) to synthesize Au/Ag nanoparticles (Au/AgNPs) in a general and environmentally friendly approach. Powder X-ray diffraction analysis (PXRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and UV–visible spectroscopy have all been used to study the nanoparticle. The synthesized bimetallic nanomaterials have been shown to be crystalline, and the PXRD findings are entirely consistent with the gold/silver nanoparticle. The development of nanoparticles with a size between 20 and 26 nm and a spherical shape is clearly confirmed by TEM and PXRD data. The formation of bimetallic nanoparticles is also well demonstrated by the absorption peak in the UV–visible band and XPS analysis.The presence of gold and silver metals in the synthesized material is confirmed by SEM with EDAX and XPS analysis. The presence of gold and silver metals in the synthesized nanoparticles and their morphology are confirmed by SEM and EDAX analysis. Additionally, the atomic and weight percent compositions of Au are 67.5% while Ag is 32.5%. TEM research reveals that the produced nanoparticles, which range in size from 20 to 26 nm, are spherical in form. In the presence of sodium borohydride, the produced material is utilized as a nanocatalyst to reduce 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol. The entire reduction takes place in seven minutes. First order kinetics determine the reduction. These nanoparticles act as a recyclable heterogeneous catalyst; their catalytic performance only decreases by 12% after seven cycles.