Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles through Orange Peel Powder for Antibacterial Composite Filler Applications

Abstract Environmental concerns and the positive aspects of biowaste materials gained the attention of researchers to use them as filler materials in fabricating of green composites along with polymer matrices, but most of them are not suitable for extensive applications in high thermal applications. In most of the natural particulate materials are not having the ability to fight against pathogens. To overcome such barriers, a modification of biowaste - Orange Peel Powder (OPP) by the generation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is prepared with the one-step hydrothermal process. The modified Orange Peel Powder (MOPP), is then characterized by FESEM, EDX, FT-IR, XRD, and Thermal analyses. The presence of AgNPs in the MOPP is confirmed through FESEM & EDX analysis. FT-IR spectral analysis pronounced the non mutate functional groups in MOPP as compared with OPP. The generation of AgNPs in MOPP is confirmed through the XRD peaks of reflection planes at (1,1,1), (2,0,0), (2,2,0) & (3,1,1). Thermal Analysis results of TGA and DSC show the MOPP has increased thermal stability up to 363°C. Antibacterial test against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria for OPP & MOPP shows the inclusion of Ag strongly objects the pathogens. Eventually, the MOPP can be utilized as filler material along with the polymer matrix in high thermal as well as antibacterial composite filler applications.