CONTROLLING SIZE DISTRIBUTION OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES USING NATURAL REDUCTIVE AGENT IN MCM-41@Ag

The green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has emerged as a sustainable alternative to conventional chemical methods due to its lower environmental impact and the use of natural compounds as reductive agents. However, controlling their size and distribution remains a significant challenge for technological applications. This study evaluated the effect of a natural reductive agent on the formation of AgNPs incorporated into MCM-41. The MCM-41 was synthesized using the hydrothermal method, and silver ions were subsequently incorporated. The reduction of Ag⁺ was carried out using an aqueous natural extract of Syzygium aromaticum as reductive agent. The resulting materials were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-Vis spectroscopy, and nitrogen adsorption-desorption analysis to determine their structural and morphological properties. Results showed that the nature of the reductive agent significantly influenced the size and distribution of the AgNPs within the mesoporous matrix. Spherical nanoparticles with more homogeneous size distributions were obtained when extracts rich in phenolic compounds were used. The mesoporous structure of MCM-41 was preserved after the silver incorporation and reduction process. Natural reductive agents allow for effective control of the size distribution of AgNPs supported on MCM-41, providing a sustainable route for the production of nanomaterials with adjustable properties. These results highlight the potential of green synthesis for the development of advanced materials for catalytic, antimicrobial, and biomedical applications.