From Ions to Aggregates: Green Synthesis and Characterization of Silver Microparticles Using Endemic Origanum sipyleum L. Extract

Most research on plant-mediated synthesis aims to produce nanoparticles. However, nature does not always follow this nanoscale path; factors like reaction kinetics and phytochemical saturation can sometimes push the system toward micro-scale structures. In this study, we report the biosynthesis of silver microparticles (AgMPs) using the aqueous extract of Origanum sipyleum L., a plant endemic to the Kazdağı region of Türkiye. Our characterization using UV–Vis, FTIR, and SEM revealed an interesting outcome: while the extract effectively reduced silver ions via its phenolic –OH groups, the specific reaction environment promoted the growth of irregular, micrometer-sized aggregates instead of discrete nanoparticles. We observed a hypsochromic shift in the UV-Vis spectra (λmax ~350 nm) rather than the typical nanoscale Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) peak. This data, combined with SEM imagery, suggests a growth mechanism driven by Ostwald ripening and phytochemical bridging. Ultimately, these findings distinguish the plant’s reducing power from its stabilizing capability, offering a new perspective on the thermodynamic boundaries between nano- and micro-particle formation in green chemistry.