SYNTHESIS OF GOLD NANOPARTICLES FROM DIOSCOREA HAMILTONII TUBER EXTRACT AND INVESTIGATION TO CATALYZE THE DECOMPOSITION OF COLORED ORGANIC DYES

Abstract

This research introduced the synthesis process of gold nanoparticles (DH-AuNPs) from Dioscorea hamiltonii tuber extract and HAuCl₄.3H₂O by green chemistry methods. DH-AuNPs were synthesized under optimal conditions with a reaction temperature of 90°C, using 3.0 mM HAuCl₄.3H₂O and a ratio of HAuCl₄.3H₂O to DH of 1:1 (v/ v) within 60 minutes. The morphology, structure, and content of DH-AuNPs were determined by SEM, DLS, EDX, FT-IR, UV-Vis, and TGA measurement methods. The research results indicated that DH-AuNPs had an average particle size of 201 nm and 70.68% of the formed nanoparticles in the product.  The catalytic activity of DH-AuNPs was investigated by monitoring the decrease in absorbance during the degradation of various colored organic dyes, such as EY, MO, RhB, and Rh6G. In the presence of the DH-AuNPs catalyst, the reaction between NaBH₄ and the colored compounds proceeded rapidly, reaching completion within 14 minutes.