Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Jalapeño Chili extract and thermal lens study of acrylic resin nanocomposites

Green extract from Jalapeño Chili (Capsicum Annuum var Annuum), was used as a reducing agent in the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The overall reduction was followed by UV–vis and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), confirming the formation and growth of AgNPs by the increase in the band intensity of the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) characteristic in silver nanoparticles around 460 nm. The characteristic infrared band of the amine at 3295 cm⁻¹ decreased as the reaction progressed and the spectra showed slight changes indicating the consumption of the initial components of the extract as the reaction proceed. Photocurable acrylic resin and AgNPs were prepared in different concentrations to measure their thermal properties by means of photothermal techniques. Complementary analyzes for the determination of shape, size, crystal structure and composition of the AgNPs such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy were done. This is the initial step of a research conducted to study the physical and thermal properties of nanocomposites to improve their performance for possible applications in prosthetic parts, 3D printing and tissue engineering for scaffolds.