An emerging expanse: Novel and eco-friendly-biogenic synthesis of E. cardamomum-wrapped TiO2 nanoparticles for environmental and biological applications

Abstract

The present research is targeted at E. cardamomum-derived TiO2-photocatalyst synthesis, reporting for the first time. The structural properties observed from the XRD pattern reveal that EC:TiO2 has an anatase phase and crystallite size is assessed by Debye-Scherrer's method (3.56 nm), WH-method (3.30 nm), and Modified-Debye-Scherrer's method (3.27 nm). An optical study by the UV–Vis spectrum shows strong absorption at 313 nm, and the corresponding band gap value is 3.28 eV. The topographical and morphological properties revealed by SEM and HRTEM images, elucidate the formation of multi-shaped particles of nano-size. Further, the phytochemicals on the EC:TiO2 NPs' surface are confirmed by the FTIR spectrum. The photocatalytic activity is well studied under UV light towards Congo Red dye, along with an effect of the dose of catalyst. EC:TiO2 (20 mg) has exhibited high photocatalytic efficiency up to 97% for 150 min of exposure due to the morphological, structural, and optical properties. CR degradation reaction exhibits pseudo-first-order kinetics, displaying a rate constant value of 0.01320 min−1. Reusability investigations reveal that after four photocatalysis cycles, EC:TiO2 has an effective efficiency of >85%. Additionally, EC:TiO2 NPs have been assessed for antibacterial activity and show potential against two bacterial species (S. aureus and P. aeruginosa). Therefore, these research outcomes from the eco-friendly and low-cost synthesis, are promising for the use of EC:TiO2 as a talented photocatalyst towards the removal of crystal violet dye as well as an antibacterial agent against bacterial pathogens.