Fabrication of Paper Sensor for Rapid Screening of Nanomaterial Synthesizing Potential of Plants

Numerous reports are available for the use of plant extract in nanoparticles synthesis. The traditional methodologies adopted for analyzing nanosynthesis potential of plant materials is tedious and time-consuming. Rapid, selective, low-cost and easy protocols for on-site detection of nanoparticles synthesizing potential of plant extract have tremendous potential in nanotechnology. In the present study, a simple and selective nanoparticles synthesis screening approach is developed by coating metal salts (precursor for metal nanoparticles) on an inert paper strip and allowing them to react with test plants extract such as plant latex, whose nanosynthesis potential have to be screened. The visual color change of paper strip after reaction of metal salts with latex is the ultimate colorimetric endpoint indicating the formation of nanoparticles. Diverse nanoanalysis techniques qualitatively confirmed the nanoparticles formed on the paper strip. UV–visible spectroscopy exhibit characteristic absorption peaks for AuNPs and AgNPs at around 520 and 430 nm. Scanning electron microscopy confirms the size of 87 and 114 nm for AuNPs and AgNPs. The simplicity, selectivity and rapid response make this approach a promising layman-friendly, on-site useful detection tool. This screening platform can rapidly screen diverse plant species for their capacity to fabricate nanoparticle to select most potent species.