Biosynthesis of SnO₂ nanoparticles by aqueous leaves extract of Aquilaria malaccensis (agarwood)

Biosynthesis of tin oxide nanoparticles (SnO₂ NPs) was cost-effectively carried out in non-toxic aqueous mixture of Aquilaria malaccensis (agarwood) leaves extract and tin (IV) chloride pentahydrate solution at room temperature. The synthesized SnO₂ NPs were characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The results from FT-IR spectra of A. malaccensis leaves shows the presence of functional groups of polyphenolic from bioactive compounds which act as the template for reducing and capping agents during the synthesis activity. The structural properties of the obtained nanoparticles are studied using X-ray diffraction, which indicates that the crystallite size are 6.3 and 3.4 nm for sample synthesized from extract of fresh and old leaves respectively. The morphology of the nanoparticles shows uniform distribution of agglomerated spherical nanoparticles. DRS absorption spectrum indicates the band-gap for both samples 3.23 and 3.35 eV respectively. The green synthesized SnO₂ NPs is suggested may play forthcoming significant roles in catalysis and optoelectronic devices.