Plant-Mediated Green Synthesis of Nanostructures: Mechanisms, Characterization, and Applications

Abstract In recent years, the development of efficient green chemistry methods, used for the synthesis of metal nanoparticles, has received exponentially increasing interest because biomaterial-based routes eliminate the need to use harsh or toxic chemicals. This chapter presents the advances made in green nanostructures and the biological mechanisms of nanoparticle biosynthesis, as well as providing characterization of nanoparticles. Many interesting biological tools, such as bacteria, yeasts, fungi, and plants, have been developed for the synthesis of greener nanoparticles. Among these reported organisms, plants owing to their diversity and sustainability, seem to be the best candidates for use as economic and valuable alternatives for the large-scale biosynthesis of nanoparticles. The preparation of nanoparticles via these approaches provides higher reduction rates of metal precursors and nanoparticles with better-defined sizes, morphologies, and stabilities. Herein, we consider and discuss some recent advances in terms of types of green nanostructures, plant sources used for the synthesis of nanostructures, phytochemicals involved in the green synthesis of nanostructures, green synthesis of nanoparticles, the stability of green synthesized nanoparticles, mechanisms proposed for the synthesis of nanostructures, and finally the characterization of green nanostructures.