ABSTRACT
Creating polymers that combine various functions within a single system expands the potential applications of such polymeric materials. However, achieving polymer materials that possess simultaneously elevated strength, toughness, and self-healing capabilities, along with special properties, remains a significant challenge. The present study demonstrates the preparation of S and Mo codoped graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) (Mo@S-CN) nanohybrid and the fabrication of self-healing waterborne polyurethane (SHWPU)/Mo@S-CN (SHWPU/NS) nanocomposites for advanced applications. Mo@S-CN is an intriguing combination of g-C3N4 nanosheets and molybdenum oxide (MoOx) nanorods, forming a complex lamellar structure. This unique arrangement significantly improves the inborn properties of SHWPU to an impressive degree, especially mechanical strength (28.37-34.11 MPa), fracture toughness (73.65-140.98 MJ m-2), and thermal stability (340.17-348.01 °C), and introduces fluorescence activity into the matrix. Interestingly, a representative SHWPU/NS0.5 film is so tough that a dumbbell of 15 kg, which is 53,003 times heavier than the weight of the film, can be successfully lifted without any significant crack. Remarkably, fluorescence activity is developed because of electronic excitations occurring within the repeating polymeric tris-triazine units of the Mo@S-CN nanohybrid. This fascinating feature was effectively harnessed by assessing the usability of aqueous dispersions of the Mo@S-CN nanohybrid and photoluminescent SHWPU/NS nanocomposites as sustainable stains for bioimaging of human dermal fibroblast cells and anticounterfeiting materials, respectively. The in vitro fluorescence tagging test showed blue emission from 365 nm excitation, green emission from 470 nm excitation, and red emission from 545 nm excitation. Most importantly, in vitro hemocompatibility assessment, in vitro cytocompatibility, cell proliferation assessment, and cellular morphology assessment supported the biocompatibility nature of the Mo@S-CN nanohybrid and SHWPU/NS nanocomposites. Thus, these materials can be used for advanced applications including bioimaging.
Subject(s)
Graphite , Nanocomposites , Nitrogen Compounds , Polyurethanes , Humans , Cell Proliferation , Electronics , Nanocomposites/toxicity , PolymersABSTRACT
In recent years, hydrogels as drug carriers have been receiving great interest due to their ability to change their behavior in response to one or more external stimuli. However, their initial burst release profile limits their practical applications. Therefore, we prepared a bio-based hydrogel nanocomposite (HNC) using starch, itaconic acid, acrylic acid and gelatin in the presence of CNF/ZnO-based nanohybrid (ZONH) and used it to evaluate the pH-sensitive drug release properties in different pH solutions. The prepared HNCs were analyzed using various spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. The BET analysis and swelling test of the HNC indicated improved porosity and swelling capacity due to the addition of ZONH. From the drug release study, sustained drug release rate was observed at pH 4 than those at pH 7.4 and 9, indicating controlled release as well as pH responsive behavior of the HNC. Moreover, the drug released HNC was reused as a photocatalyst for dye degradation and achieved good degradation (%). The antibacterial activity of ZONH and HNC was observed against EC and SA bacterial strains from the antibacterial test. In summary, the prepared HNC can be considered as a potential sustainable DDS for biomedical applications as well as a photocatalyst for dye contaminated water treatment.
Subject(s)
Nanocomposites , Nanofibers , Succinates , Zinc Oxide , Hydrogels/chemistry , Zinc Oxide/chemistry , Gelatin , Starch , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry , Nanocomposites/chemistry , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Drug LiberationABSTRACT
In this work, wastepaper powder was used as a modifying agent for a biodegradable hydrogel composite of starch, itaconic acid, and acrylic acid. After the addition of an optimum amount of the modifying agent, the swelling ability of the hydrogel was enhanced from 503 g/g to 647 g/g. Further, the hydrogel was also used for sustained release of NPK fertilizer and subsequent effect of the fertilizer loaded hydrogel in okra seed germination was also studied. The NPK loaded-hydrogel showed good sustained-release behavior and 98 % of N, 81 % of P and 95 % of K release were observed after 20th day of incubation. Moreover, the release study was explained by using different kinetic models. In seed germination study, a higher and faster germination rate for okra seeds was observed in case of NPK loaded hydrogel compared to the control system, which was attributed to the synergistic effect of essential macronutrients (N, P, and K) and water that were inside the hydrogel. Most importantly, the hydrogel was found to be biodegradable by using soil burial method and further confirmed by FTIR and SEM analyses. Thus, this work provides an efficient way for utilization of wastepaper in the production of a biodegradable hydrogel for agricultural applications.
Subject(s)
Fertilizers , Hydrogels , Fertilizers/analysis , StarchABSTRACT
The synthesis of eco-friendly and biocompatible waterborne polyurethanes (WPUs) through judicious molecular engineering with supreme mechanical strength, good shape recoverability, and high self-healing efficiency is still a formidable challenge because of some mutually exclusive conflicts among these properties. Herein, we report a facile method to develop a transparent (80.57-91.48%), self-healable (efficiency 67-76%) WPU elastomer (strain 3297-6356%) with the highest reported mechanical toughness (436.1 MJ m-3), ultrahigh fracture energy (126.54 kJ m-2), and good shape recovery (95% within 40 s at 70 °C in water). These results were accomplished by introducing high-density hindered urea-based hydrogen bonds, an asymmetric alicyclic architecture (isophorone diisocyanate-isophorone diamine), and the glycerol ester of citric acid (a bio-based internal emulsifier) into the hard domains of the WPU. Most importantly, platelet adhesion activity, lactate dehydrogenase activity, and erythrocyte or red blood corpuscle lysis demonstrated the hemocompatibility of the developed elastomer. Simultaneously, the cellular viability (live/dead) assay and the cell proliferation (Alamar blue) assay of human dermal fibroblasts corroborated the biocompatibility under in vitro conditions. Furthermore, the synthesized WPUs showed melt re-processability with retention of mechanical strength (86.94%) and microbe-assisted biodegradation. The overall results, therefore, indicate that the developed WPU elastomer might be used as a potential smart biomaterial and coating for biomedical devices.
Subject(s)
Elastomers , Polyurethanes , Humans , Polyurethanes/chemistry , Biocompatible Materials/chemistry , Water/chemistryABSTRACT
The current scenario of environmental pollution caused by non-biodegradable plastic and depleting non-renewable resources has called upon the need for biodegradable bioplastic production from renewable resources. Starch bioplastics production from underutilized sources is a viable option for packaging materials that are non-toxic, environmentally benign, and easily biodegradable under disposed conditions. Pristine bioplastic production results in some undesirable qualities and hence requires further modification in order to elevate its potential applicability in real-world scenarios. In this work, yam starch was extracted from a local variety of yams through an eco-friendly and energy-efficient process which was further utilized for bioplastic production. The produced virgin bioplastic was subjected to physical modification through the introduction of plasticizers such as glycerol, while citric acid (CA) was employed as modifier in order to produce the desired starch bioplastic film. The different compositions of starch bioplastics were analyzed for their mechanical properties and maximum tensile strength of 24.60 MPa was observed as the best possible experimental result. The biodegradability feature was further highlighted through soil burial test. Apart from their general function of preservation and protection, the produced bioplastic can be employed for pH-sensitive food spoilage detection through the minute introduction of plant-derived anthocyanin extract into it. The produced pH-sensitive bioplastic film showed distinct changes in color upon an extreme change in the pH value and hence has potential to be used as a smart food packaging material.
Subject(s)
Dioscorea , Starch , Animals , Starch/chemistry , Anthocyanins , Citric Acid/chemistry , PlasticizersABSTRACT
In recent years, polysaccharide-based hydrogels have received increased attention due to their inherent biodegradability, biocompatibility, and non-toxicity. The feasibility of using polysaccharides for the synthesis of hydrogels is dependent on their noteworthy mechanical strength and cell compatibility, which are required for practical applications, especially for biomedical uses. In this study, we demonstrate a facile synthetic route for the construction of a mechanically tough, biocompatible, and biodegradable hydrogel using polysaccharides such as starch and agar. A synthetic monomer-free hydrogel was synthesized using epichlorohydrin as a cross-linker, and a mechanical strength of 9.49 ± 1.29-6.16 ± 0.37 MPa was achieved. The introduction of agar into the hydrogel resulted in agar dose-dependent swelling-induced mechanical strength. Moreover, along with incredible mechanical strength, the hydrogel also exhibited prominent cell viability against human embryonic kidney cells. In addition, the hydrogel showed good encapsulation efficiency for antibacterial drugs like ciprofloxacin hydrochloride hydrate, with controlled releasing ability over a sustained period. The antibacterial activity of the encapsulated drug was observed against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis bacterial strains. Thus, the studied hydrogel with loaded drug exhibited all the required qualities to be utilized as a promising candidate in wound dressing applications.
Subject(s)
Hydrogels , Starch , Humans , Hydrogels/pharmacology , Agar , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Polysaccharides , BandagesABSTRACT
A facile one-pot approach was adopted to prepare a polysaccharide-based hydrogel of oxidized starch (OS)-chitosan. The synthetic monomer-free, eco-friendly hydrogel was prepared in an aqueous solution and employed for controlled drug release application. The starch was first oxidized under mild conditions to prepare its bialdehydic derivative. Subsequently, the amino group-containing a modified polysaccharide, "chitosan" was introduced on the backbone of OS via a dynamic Schiff-base reaction. The bio-based hydrogel was obtained via a one-pot in-situ reaction, where functionalized starch acts as a macro-cross-linker that contributes structural stability and integrity to the hydrogel. The introduction of chitosan contributes to stimuli-responsive properties and thus pH-sensitive swelling behavior was obtained. The hydrogel showed its potential as a pH-dependent controlled drug release system and a maximum of 29 h sustained release period was observed for ampicillin sodium salt drug. In vitro studies confirmed that the prepared drug-loaded hydrogels showed excellent antibacterial ability. Most importantly, the hydrogel could find potential use in the biomedical field due to its facile reaction conditions, biocompatibility along with controlled releasing ability of the encapsulated drug.
Subject(s)
Chitosan , Starch , Chitosan/chemistry , Delayed-Action Preparations/chemistry , Hydrogels/chemistry , Polysaccharides/chemistry , Drug Liberation , Excipients , Hydrogen-Ion ConcentrationABSTRACT
Sustainable development is a critical concern in this fast-paced technological world. Therefore, it is essential to employ renewable resources to move towards sustainable development goals (SDGs). The polyols attained from renewable resources, including lignin, chitosan, vegetable oils, cellulose, etc. and the polymers derived from them have attracted the attention of the majority of researchers, both in academia and industry. The development of bio-based polymers from vegetable oils start emerging with different properties to generate a value-added system. This review will give an impression to readers about how coatings generated from vegetable oils can find a way towards better protective properties against corrosion either by using fillers or by using molecular structure modifications in the system, thus covering a range of vegetable oil-based self-healing polymers and their application in anti-corrosion coatings.
ABSTRACT
Mechanically tough self-healing hydrogels have attracted tremendous attraction in recent years owing to their flexibility and excellent deformation-resistance. Herein, we synthesized a bio-based self-healing hydrogel by incorporating starch onto a hydrophobically associated (HA) domain. The inclusion of physically cross-linked starch onto the HA-poly(acrylamide) (PAM) chain enhanced the mechanical strength of the hydrogel and this enhancement depends on dose level of starch. The ductile and tough HA-PAM network could bear stress and recombine the damage zones within a short time, and hence exhibit noteworthy self-healing ability. Moreover, the introduction of the reversible and physically cross-linked starch network was unable to eliminate self-healing attribute of the HA-PAM network completely. Most importantly, synthesized hydrogel was dimensionally stable after swelling and exhibited noteworthy mechanical strength under such conditions. Thus, this work provides a novel starch incorporated mechanically tough, self-healing hydrogel that can hopefully enrich the current hydrogel research and expand its practical application spectrum.
Subject(s)
Hydrogels , Starch , Acrylic Resins , Tensile StrengthABSTRACT
A double-network hydrophobic-hydrogel was successfully synthesized. Here epichlorohydrin (ECH) and N, N-methylene bis-acrylamide act as the crosslinkers for starch and poly(acrylic acid), respectively. The synthesized hydrogel having both positive and negative charge exhibited amphoteric properties and employed for the exclusion of anionic and cationic dyes from waste aqueous solution. The formation of positive charge occurs via reaction of triethylamine with the open up epoxy ring of ECH while carboxylate ion of poly(acrylic acid) gives the negative charge in the hydrogel. The formation of double cross-linking and the presence of quaternized alkyl chains lead towards hydrophobicity with much lower swelling ability. As an adsorbent, the hydrogel was able to remove both cationic dye (methylene blue) and anionic dye (congo red) with adsorption maxima of 133.65â¯mg/g and 64.73â¯mg/g, respectively. This study showed that the synthesized hydrogel offers enormous potential as the toxic dye adsorbent for effluent treatment of industrial wastewater.
Subject(s)
Coloring Agents/chemistry , Hydrogels/chemistry , Starch/chemistry , Adsorption , Anions/chemistry , Cations/chemistry , Coloring Agents/isolation & purification , Hydrogels/chemical synthesis , Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions , Molecular Structure , Particle Size , Surface Properties , Waste Disposal, Fluid , Wastewater/chemistryABSTRACT
Designing of mechanically tough elastomeric materials encompassed with intrinsic surface hydrophobicity, antistatic and antimicrobial attributes is in skyrocketing demands, especially to protect the instruments which are submerged in water. Herein, the authors depicted the fabrication of interpenetrating polymer network-based nanocomposites containing different doses of octadecylamine capped Cu/RGO nanohybrid. The structures and morphologies of the synthesized nanohybrid and the fabricated nanocomposites were characterized by using FTIR, XRD, XPS, TGA, FESEM and TEM analyses. Most interestingly the nanocomposites showed good hydrophobicity (static contact angle: 119.2°-129.3°), low surface resistivity (~107â¯Ωâ¯m) and strong antimicrobial activity towards Gram negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Yersinia pestis) and Gram positive (Bacillus cereus) bacterial strains. The fabricated nanocomposites also exhibited antifungal (Candida albicans) activity. In addition, the fabricated nanocomposites showed excellent mechanical properties including high tensile strength (14.03-20.9â¯MPa), outstanding flexibility (1887-2470%), excellent toughness (249.89-510.1â¯MJ.m-3), high scratch resistance (>10â¯kg) and high thermostability (281-288⯰C). Therefore, the fabricated nanocomposites can be used as an effective thin film for many advanced applications.
Subject(s)
Amines , Anti-Infective Agents , Antistatic Agents , Bacteria/growth & development , Candida albicans/growth & development , Copper , Graphite , Nanocomposites , Amines/chemistry , Amines/pharmacology , Anti-Infective Agents/chemistry , Anti-Infective Agents/pharmacology , Antistatic Agents/chemistry , Antistatic Agents/pharmacology , Copper/chemistry , Copper/pharmacology , Graphite/chemistry , Graphite/pharmacology , Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions , Nanocomposites/chemistry , Nanocomposites/therapeutic use , Oxidation-ReductionABSTRACT
Anticounterfeiting materials are neo-advanced materials with utility in covert and security strategies. In this context, a photoluminescent, mechanically robust, and thermally stable hyperbranched polyurethane (PU) nanocomposite was fabricated with oxygeneous-graphitic carbon nitride nanodots. The nanocomposite was characterized using infrared, ultraviolet-visible, and photoluminescence spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry, transmission electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The processed nanocomposite demonstrated improved physico-mechanical stability as well as enhanced thermal stability than the pristine PU. The nanocomposite displayed remarkable photoluminescence under long ultraviolet light (365 nm), courtesy of dispersion of oxygeneous-carbon nitride nanodots in the polymer matrix, without any solid-state quenching. The nanocomposite was consequently employed as an ultraviolet light-detectable anticounterfeiting ink material having reinforcing ability.
ABSTRACT
HYPOTHESIS: Fabrication of polymeric nanocomposites with suitable nanomaterial via an in-situ polymerization approach results in multifunctional advanced materials. EXPERIMENTS: The present work demonstrates the fabrication of interpenetrating polymer network (IPN)-based smart nanocomposites of polyurethane and polystyrene (PS) with different weight percentages of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). The MWCNT was grafted with pre-polymer of PS. The grafted-MWCNT and the nanocomposites were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectroscopic, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopic studies. Further, different properties of the nanocomposites were evaluated. FINDINGS: The fabricated nanocomposites showed excellent enhancement in mechanical (tensile strength: 175.9%; elongation at break: 161.9%; and toughness: 279.8%) and thermal (initial degradation temperature: 107.8%) properties compared to the pristine IPN. The improved properties are because of strong interfacial matrix-nanomaterial interactions. In addition, the nanocomposites demonstrated high water repellence (static contact angle varied from 127.9° to 143.6°), outstanding self-cleaning and anti-icing (freezing delay time of 1850-2700â¯s) behaviors. Most interestingly, the fabricated nanocomposites exhibited excellent self-healing ability under the exposure of microwave (within 46-22â¯s at 300â¯W power input) and sunlight (within 318-257â¯s, light intensity: 0.9-1.1â¯×â¯105â¯lux). Therefore, the studied nanocomposites hold significant potential to be used in the domains of advanced smart materials.
ABSTRACT
Bio-resources have carved a unique niche for the ever-increasing thrust of the global scientific community to impart green credentials to various research outputs along with the demands for advanced materials. In this milieu, the authors wish to fabricate a fully bio-based waterborne polyester nanocomposite as an advanced material using different bio-based reactants and cellulose nanofibers as the nanomaterial. Three different compositions of the nanocomposite were prepared at different loadings of cellulose nanofibers (0.25, 0.5 and 1 weight%) which were isolated from waste brewed green tea leaves. The structural attributes of the nanocomposites were evaluated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopic and transmission electron microscopic studies. The nanocomposites were further cured with glycerol based epoxy and fatty acid based poly(amido amine) as the hardener to obtain the respective thermosets. The significant improvements in mechanical properties including tensile strength (13.71-22.33 MPa), elongation at break (128-290%), toughness (15.65-45.18 MJ m-3) and scratch hardness (8 to >10 kg) were observed for the thermosetting nanocomposites and the thermogravimetric analysis supports their high thermostability (234-265 °C). Further, the thermosetting nanocomposites were found to be highly biodegradable by Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterial strains, hemocompatible with the erythrocytes present in RBCs and showed antioxidant properties. Thus, this nanocomposite could be used as a promising eco-friendly material for different related applications.
ABSTRACT
The development of high-performing nanocomposites of homogeneously dispersed graphene oxide in a waterborne polyester matrix with controlled interfacial interactions is a daunting challenge owing to the presence of strong cohesive energy in both. Thus, in this study, graphene oxide was functionalized with toluene diisocyanate and butane diol through a simple method and incorporated into the waterborne polyester matrix through a facile in situ bulk polymerization technique without using any compatibilizing agent or organic solvent for the first time. The thermoset of the nanocomposite was formed by curing it with hyperbranched epoxy of glycerol and poly(amido amine). The resultant thermosetting nanocomposites with 0.1-1 wt % functionalized graphene oxide exhibited significant enhancement in mechanical properties such as elongation at break (245-360%), tensile strength (7.8-39.4 MPa), scratch hardness (4 to >10 kg), toughness (17.18-86.35 MJ/m3), Young's modulus (243-358 MPa), impact resistance (8.3 to >9.3 kJ/m), and thermostability. Further, the Halpin-Tsai model was used to predict the alignment of graphene oxide. The nanocomposite was also biodegradable against the Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterial strain. Furthermore, this nanocomposite exhibited strong catalytic activity for the aza-Michael addition reaction. Thus, the nanocomposite can be utilized as a high-performing sustainable material in different potential applications including as heterogeneous catalysts.
ABSTRACT
Silicone-containing biobased hyperbranched polyurethane thermoplastic elastomers at different compositions were reported for the first time. The structures of the polymers were evaluated from Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, NMR, X-ray diffraction, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analyses. The synthesized elastomers possess high molecular weight (1.11-1.38 × 105 g·mol-1) and low glass transition temperature (from -40.0 to -27.3 °C). These polymers exhibited multistimuli responsive excellent repeatable intrinsic self-healing (100% efficiency), shape recovery (100%), and efficient self-cleaning (contact angle 102°-107°) abilities along with exceptional elongation at break (2834-3145%), high toughness (123.3-167.8 MJ·m-3), good impact resistance (18.3-20.3 kJ·m-1), and adequate tensile strength (5.9-6.9 MPa). Furthermore, high thermal stability (253-263 °C) as well as excellent UV and chemical resistance was also found for the polymers. Most interestingly, controlled bacterial biodegradation under exposure of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterial strains demonstrated them as sustainable materials. Therefore, such biobased novel thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers with self-healing, self-cleaning, and shape memory effects possess great potential for their advanced multifaceted applications.
ABSTRACT
Design and fabrication of a smart bio-based polymeric material with potent biocompatibility and high performance still remain a challenge in the biomedical realm. In this context, a potential smart suture was fabricated from starch modified hyperbranched polyurethane (HPU) nanocomposites with different weight percentages of reduced carbon dots for the first time. The desired mechanical (tensile strength: 32.14 MPa, elongation at break: 1576% and toughness 439.28 MJ m-3) and thermal (286 °C) attributes of the suture were achieved with 2 wt% of reduced carbon dots in an HPU matrix. The non-contact self-tightening behavior was observed just within 15 s at body temperature of 37 °C ± 1 °C with notable shape fixity (99.6%) and shape recovery (99.7%) effects. The nanocomposites displayed in vitro biodegradability and hemocompatibility. Low lactate dehydrogenase activity and minimal red blood cell lysis indicated the anti-thrombogenicity and anti-hemolytic properties of the nanocomposites. The suitability of the fabricated nanocomposites as a smart biomaterial was supported by the inherent biocompatibility as observed by the growth and proliferation of smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells. Furthermore, they exhibited minimal immunogenic response (TNF α release). Thus, the study paves the way to biodegradable HPU nanocomposites as advanced non-contact triggered rapid self-tightening surgical sutures for biomedical applications.
Subject(s)
Biocompatible Materials/chemistry , Carbon/chemistry , Nanocomposites/chemistry , Polyurethanes/chemistry , Sutures , Absorbable Implants , Animals , Aorta/drug effects , Cell Proliferation , Hemorheology , Immune System/drug effects , L-Lactate Dehydrogenase/metabolism , Materials Testing , Polymers , Stress, Mechanical , Swine , Temperature , Tensile Strength , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolismABSTRACT
Smart biodegradable tough interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) of bio-based polyurethane containing a silicone moiety and polystyrene at three different compositions were synthesized for the first time by using simultaneous polymerization technique. The structures of the synthesized IPNs were interpreted by FTIR, NMR, and XRD analyses, while morphology was provided from a SEM study. The synthesized IPNs exhibited outstanding elongation at break (up to 1608%) along with good tensile strength (up to 12.6 MPa), toughness (up to 92.34 MJ m-3), impact resistance (up to 26.8 kJ m-1), scratch resistance (up to 6.5 kg) and durometer hardness (up to 86 Shore A). Furthermore, the synthesized IPNs exhibited good thermal stability up to 245 °C and chemical resistance. Interestingly, these IPNs showed multi-stimuli responsive self-healing (within 62 s at 450 W microwave and 6-8 min under sunlight) and shape memory (100% shape recovery within 48 s with a 450 W microwave and 7-13 min under direct sunlight) behavior. A self-cleaning attribute was also observed for the synthesized IPNs which showed a static contact angle up to 120.8° and angle of hysteresis <5°. Most interestingly, the synthesized IPNs also exhibited moderate bio-degradation under the exposure to a P. aeruginosa bacterial strain. Therefore, the synthesized smart bio-degradable tough IPNs with the above properties have great potential for different advanced multifaceted applications.
ABSTRACT
Recently, concerns have been raised regarding the ultimate fate of silver nanoparticles (SNPs) after their release into the environment. In this study, the environmental feasibility of plant leaf (Thuja occidentalis) extract-mediated green SNPs (GSNPs) was assessed in terms of their effects on soil physicochemical properties and crop growth in comparison to conventionally synthesized silver nanoparticles (CSNPs). Upon application of GSNPs, soil pH shifted toward neutrality, and substantial increments were observed in water holding capacity (WHC), cation exchange capacity (CEC), and N/P availability. The mechanism behind the enhanced availability of N was verified through lab-scale experiments in which GSNP-treated soils efficiently resisted nitrate leaching, thereby sustaining N availability in root zone soil layers. However, retardation in nutrient availability and enzyme activity was apparent in soils treated with 100â¯mgâ¯kg-1 of either CSNPs or GSNPs. Remarkable improvements in leaf area index (LAI), leaf number, chlorophyll content, nitrate reductase (NR) activity, and Phaseolus vulgaris pod yield were observed after the application of low doses of GSNPs (25-50â¯mgâ¯kg-1). The true benefit of GSNP application to soil was substantiated through experiments on plant uptake of nutrients, NR expression, and ferredoxin gene expression in P. vulgaris leaves.