Synergetic Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using DES-Based Plant Extracts

Green synthesis methods offer an environmentally friendly and alternative approach for the development of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). These methods utilize natural and renewable resources such as plant extracts or deep eutectic solvents (DESs) while minimizing the use of hazardous chemicals. Nanoparticles, characterized by their dimensions within the 1–100 nm range, exhibit unique properties that enable their diverse applications in medicine, diagnostics, drug delivery systems, cosmetics, sensing, catalysis, food and agricultural technologies. This review summarizes recent advancements in the biogenic synthesis of AgNPs using plant extracts prepared via deep eutectic solvents (DESs) or natural deep eutectic solvents (NaDESs), as well as individual plant extracts or DESs/NaDESs. The research highlights the strategic synergy in which DES-based media and their different bioactive compounds of plant extracts play a crucial role as both reducing and stabilizing agents. Furthermore, the physicochemical properties of the synthesized AgNPs, including core diameter, morphology, and long-term stability, are critically evaluated in relation to eutectic composition, and plant species utilized. This review demonstrates that DESs actively modulate the biosynthesis of AgNPs: functioning as green extraction media and steric/electrostatic stabilizing agents, while selectively serving as direct reducing agents in compositions containing reducing sugars, polyols, organic acids, and bioactive plant compounds.