Green Synthesis of Silver Oxide Nanoparticles using Zingiber officinale Extract: Catalytic and Antibacterial Potentials of 2-Phenyl Benzimidazole Derivatives

This study presents a novel and environmentally friendly method for synthesizing silver oxide nanoparticles (Ag2O NPs) using Zingiber officinale root extract, reducing the traditional synthesis method’s environmental impact. The synthesized nanoparticles were highly effective catalysts for synthesizing 2-phenyl benzimidazole (BI) derivatives under mild conditions, with excellent yields (83-92%). The synthesized NPs were characterized by FTIR, SEM/EDX, and XRD. The characterization of the prepared compounds provides valuable insights into their chemical composition, enabling further optimization of their properties. The Ag2O nanoparticles catalyzed BI derivatives were tested for antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, showing a maximum zone of inhibition of 25 ± 0.23 mm. The significance of this work lies in the potential applications of these derivatives in medicine, materials science, and agriculture. Overall, the green and sustainable approach in this study to nanoparticle synthesis has significant implications for the development of new, eco-friendly technologies, making it of significant scientific interest.