Eco-friendly synthesis of Ag-NPs using Cerasus serrulata plant extract – Its catalytic, electrochemical reduction of 4-NPh and antibacterial activity

In the present investigation, we report a facile, reproducible and effortless biological synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) utilizing Cerasus serrulata (C. serrulata) leaves extract as reducing as well as stabilizing agent. The size of synthesized Ag-NPs was in the range of 15–24 nm when examined with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction studies. The Ag-NPs obtained using C. serrulata exhibited excellent catalytic activity towards reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NPh) to 4-aminophenol in the presence of NaBH4 and demonstrate noteworthy electrochemical performance for 4-NPh reduction. The linear range, detection limit and sensitivity are estimated as 0.09–82.5 μM (r = 0.991), 0.06 μM and 3.0 μA μM−1 cm2 respectively. The Ag-NPs were found to show higher antimicrobial efficiency against Streptococcus mutans and Staphylococcus aureus.