GREEN-SOURCED METAL OXIDE NANOPARTICLES: SYNTHESIS AND CATALYTIC EFFICIENCY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION IN WATER

Abstract

Background: Synthetic dyes in industrial wastewater cause significant ecological pollution, and conventional remediation methods are often inefficient and unsustainable. Green nanotechnology offers an eco-friendly alternative for pollutant removal.

Aim: This study focuses on the green synthesis of zinc oxide (ZnO) and iron oxide (Fe₂O₃) nanoparticles using leaf extracts from Azadirachta indica and Moringa oleifera, characterizing their physicochemical properties, and evaluating their catalytic efficiency in degrading methylene blue dye from aqueous solutions.

Method: Nanoparticles were synthesized using aqueous leaf extracts as reducing and stabilizing agents. Characterization techniques included FTIR, XRD, SEM, TEM, and BET surface analysis. Catalytic activity was assessed via photodegradation of methylene blue under UV light, with recyclability tested over four cycles.

Results: FTIR confirmed phytochemicals facilitating nanoparticle synthesis. XRD identified rhombohedral and wurtzite structures for Fe₂O₃ and ZnO, respectively. SEM and TEM showed uniform spherical nanoparticles at the nanoscale. BET analysis revealed larger surface areas for green-synthesized particles compared to commercial ones. Green ZnO degraded 96.5% of methylene blue within 60 minutes, outperforming commercial ZnO. Both nanoparticle types demonstrated excellent reusability with minimal activity loss.

Conclusion: Green-synthesized ZnO and Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles exhibit superior physicochemical and catalytic properties compared to commercial counterparts, offering a sustainable, eco-friendly solution for wastewater treatment applications.