Effect of plant-based phenol derivatives on the formation of Cu and Ag nanoparticles

The complexes formed on the reaction of various metal ions viz., Cu(II) and Cu(I) with phenol derivatives viz. catechol, chlorogenic acid (CGA), hydroquinone and n-propyl gallate (nPG) were established by UV–visible spectroscopy. The metal/ligand complexing ratio and complexation constants have been determined. Further, we showed that nanoparticles of Cu can be prepared from metal–phenol complexes in the presence of a protein (gelatin) by γ-irradiation showing that the reduction is metal ion centered. Formation of Ag nanoparticles was also observed on photo-irradiation with xenon lamp in the presence of dihydroxy benzene. The Ag and Cu nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV–visible absorption spectroscopy. TEM technique showed the presence of Cu and Ag nanoparticles with average size of 20 and 30 nm, respectively.