In this work, sensing
and photocatalytic activities of green synthesized
silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) are investigated. Ag NPs have been synthesized
by the reduction of silver nitrate (AgNO3) using different
leaf extracts. An optimum surface plasmon resonance (SPR) behavior
is obtained for neem leaf extracts because of the presence of a high
concentration of diterpenoids, as evidenced from gas chromatography
mass spectroscopy results. The underlying mechanism for the formation
of Ag NPs is highlighted. The Ag NPs are in spherical shape and exhibit
the hexagonal crystal phase and also show a good stability. The biosensing
property of the Ag NPs is evaluated using mancozeb (MCZ) agro-fungicide,
and the SPR peak position exhibited a linear response with MCZ concentration.
The sensitivity is found to be 39.1 nm/mM. Further, the photocatalytic
activity of Ag NPs is tested using 0.5 mM MCZ solution as a model
under UV–visible illumination. It is observed that photocatalytic
activity is caused by the formation of reactive oxygen species. Therefore,
the green synthesized Ag NPs are potential candidates for biosensing
and photocatalytic applications.