Green synthesis of Platinum Nanoparticles Using Aqueous Bark Extract of Prunus africana and Their Heterogeneous Catalytic Efficiency

International Journal of Chemistry | Vol. 7, No. 4, April 2016 | pp. 25–32

DOI: 10.46882/2016/IJC/000091

Article Type: Original Research Paper

Title: Green synthesis of Platinum Nanoparticles Using Aqueous Bark Extract of Prunus africana and Their Heterogeneous Catalytic Efficiency

Names of Authors: S. I. Musa¹, K. A. Al-Jubouri²*

Authors’ Affiliations:
¹Department of Chemistry, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria.
²Department of Chemistry, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq.

Abstract: The biological synthesis of platinum nanoparticles using medicinal plant extracts offers an eco-friendly and economically sustainable alternative to traditional chemical reduction protocols. This study details the green synthesis of stable platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) utilizing the aqueous bark extract of Prunus africana as both a reducing and stabilizing agent. The bioreduction process was monitored via UV-Vis spectrophotometry, which revealed the gradual decay and disappearance of the platinum chloride precursor band over 60 minutes. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses showed highly spherical nanoparticles with an average particle diameter of 14 nm. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns confirmed the face-centered cubic crystalline structure of the biosynthesized metallic platinum. Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy indicated that water-soluble biomolecules, primarily pentacyclic triterpenes and phytosterols within the bark matrix, were responsible for capping and protecting the PtNPs against structural agglomeration. The catalytic efficiency of the synthesized PtNPs was evaluated by tracking the reduction of eosin Y dye by sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) in an aqueous system. In the absence of a catalyst, the reaction proceeded slowly, but the introduction of PtNPs accelerated the degradation process, achieving 97.4% decolorization within 10 minutes. The dye degradation kinetics conformed strictly to the pseudo-first-order kinetic model with a rate constant of 0.284 min⁻¹, indicating excellent catalytic potential for chemical waste neutralization.

Keywords: Platinum nanoparticles; Green synthesis; Prunus africana; Biosynthesis; Heterogeneous catalysis; Eosin Y degradation

Manuscript Timeline: Received: October 12, 2015; Revised: November 24, 2015; Accepted: December 18, 2015; Published: April 02, 2016.

Citation: Musa, S. I., & Al-Jubouri, K. A. (2016). Green synthesis of Platinum Nanoparticles Using Aqueous Bark Extract of Prunus africana and Their Heterogeneous Catalytic Efficiency. International Journal of Chemistry, 7(4), 25–32.

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