Green synthesis of bimetallic copper–silver nanoparticles and their application in catalytic and antibacterial activities

Abstract: The present research is focused on the synthesis of copper–silver bimetallic nanoparticles using the extracts from the date palm tree (Phoenix dactylifera) leaves. The effect of operational parameters such as type of solvent, pH of the plant extract, salt concentration, and the solution temperature on the particle size and yield of the resultant nanoparticles is reported for the first time. Water–ethanol mixture of 1:1 (v/v) ratio was found to be the best solvent for the extraction of phenolic compounds from the leaves. The novelty of this work lies in the fact that the addition of capping reagent extracted by the green synthesis process from aqueous Sidr leaves reduced the average particle size of the nanoparticles to 26 nm. The characterizations of the copper–silver bimetallic nanoparticles were performed using particle size analyzer, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray, and X-ray diffraction analysis. Thus, the synthesis of bimetallic copper–silver nanoparticle using palm leaves extract would provide the associated process chemistry. Produced bimetallic nanoparticles were used to establish their catalytic activity to degrade the methylene blue dye from aqueous solution. Well diffusion studies using the as-produced nanoparticles on Bacillus subtilis (Gram-positive) and Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) exhibited the antibacterial ability of the copper–silver bimetallic nanoparticles. The potential catalytic activity for dye degradation and antibacterial assay using nanoparticles highlights the efficacy of the palm leaves and its components. Graphic abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].