Biosynthesis of zerovalent iron nanoparticles for catalytic reduction of 4‐nitrophenol and decoloration of textile dyes

Abstract

We demonstrate a green chemistry approach to synthesize narrow-sized zerovalent iron (nZVI) nanoparticles using Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. leaf extract as reducing and capping agent. The produced nZVI was characterized by various instrumental methods including ultraviolet-visible spectra, transmission electron microscopy, vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Based on the electron microscopy observations, the particle size was estimated to be ∼30 nm. In VSM, the saturation point of magnetization was observed to be 0.6 emu g −1 under a magnetic field of 0 ± 30 kOe. The synthesized nZVI was amorphous in nature as per the XRD results. The catalytic activity of the nZVI was employed for the catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) and decoloration of textile dyes such as methylene blue, methyl orange, and malachite green, respectively. The proposed nZVI synthesis method exhibited better catalytic performance toward reduction of 4-NP and degradation of dyes within 4 min for 0.1 mg of catalyst. Moreover, the synthesized catalyst nZVI can be recoverable and reutilized in many cycles without loss of its significant catalytic activity. The synthesized nZVI could be a promising material to treat industrial wastewater via profitable, sustainable, and ecofriendly approaches.

Study on Biogenic Spindle-Shaped Iron-Oxide Nanoparticles by Pseudostaurosira trainorii in Field of Laser Desorption/Ionization Applications

“…Presently, scientists are trying to degrade p-nitrophenol by exploiting the catalytic activity of various nanoparticles. It has been reported that iron nanoparticles synthesized by Jatropha [ 33 ] and Artocarpus heterophyllus [ 34 ] leaf extracts showed potential catalytic activity to degrade nitrophenol. It was also reported that iron oxides are capable of degrading nitrophenol in the presence of oxalate [ 35 ].…”