ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Microwave-assisted green synthesis of Ag, Ni, and Fe nanostructures using Tinospora cordifolia extract: antimicrobial and photocatalytic insights

Sanjay Kumar Upadhyay, Vishant Varma, and Devbrat Pundhir

Nano Research Laboratory, Department of Applied Sciences and Humanities (Chemistry), Raja Balwant Singh Engineering Technical Campus Bichpuri, Agra, India

E-mail: sanjay_upadh11j@rediffmail.com

Received: 30 September 2025  Accepted: 19 December 2025

Abstract:

This study focuses on the microwave-assisted green synthesis of metallic nanostructures, specifically silver (Ag), nickel (Ni), and iron (Fe), using the stem extract of Tinospora cordifolia, a medicinal plant renowned for its rich phytochemical content. The extract contains bioactive compounds, including alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, and phenolic compounds, which serve as natural reducing and stabilizing agents in the nanoparticle formation process. By employing microwave irradiation, the study achieves a rapid, energy-efficient, and eco-friendly route to synthesize nanoparticles. The resulting nanoparticles were characterized using UV–Vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, confirming their successful formation and morphological features. The particle sizes were found to be in the range of 20–80 nm, 20–60 nm, and 15–65 nm for silver, nickel oxide, and iron oxide nanoparticles, respectively. Two major applications of these metallic nanoparticles were examined. Firstly, green-synthesized nanostructures were further used to test their antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli clinical strains, and their catalytic efficiency was tested in degrading toxic dyes like methyl orange and methylene blue. The synthesized Ni-NPs showed photocatalytic activity with absorbance peaks at 458 nm (MB) and 397 nm (MO), achieving 41.34% and 28.9% degradation, respectively. Limited catalyst concentration restricted complete degradation. Antimicrobial tests showed moderate efficacy, with zones of inhibition of 16 mm (well diffusion) and 22 mm (disk diffusion).The results underline their potential for multifunctional applications in antimicrobial therapies and environmental remediation.

Keywords: Green nanotechnology; Tinospora cordifolia; Microwave synthesis; Antimicrobial activity; Photo-catalytic

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-025-04612-5

Chemical Papers 80 (5) 5099–5111 (2026)