Biosynthesis driven dysprosium oxide nanoparticles as a sensor for picric acid

Abstract

In the present study, we have used biosynthesized Dy2O3 nanoparticles (Nps) for the selective detection of (Picric acid) PA. A simple and eco-friendly route to develop Dy2O3 nanoparticles (Nps) with the aid of clove bud extract as naturally available fuel was used. Biosynthesized and its counterpart, calcined sample c-Dy2O3 were characterized by UV–visible, FT-IR, XRD, TEM, XPS and TGA analysis. FT-IR results indicated the preliminary evidence of Dy–O bond in the synthesized Nps. XRD pattern confirmed that Dy2O3 has amorphous nature and its counterpart has typical cubic crystal structure. Toxicological profiling of Dy2O3 Nps was performed against bacteria and plants using bioassays. The experiments marked the absence of zone of inhibition against bacteria using Staphylococcus aureus (Gram positive) and Escherichia coli (Gram negative) which revealed the non-toxicity of Dy2O3 Nps. Seed germination assay divulged elevated biocompatibility of Dy2O3 Nps towards black gram seeds w.r.t. control at a concentration of Nps even at high concentration of 1000 ​ppm. The synthesized Nps demonstrated excellent sensitivity and selectivity towards picric acid with Limit of detection (LOD) of 43 ​± ​1.5 ​nM. The high value of Stern –Volmer constant (Ksv), 4.19 ​× ​104 ​M signifies the high selectivity of Dy2O3 Nps for PA. We believe that the biosynthesized Dy2O3 Nps will emerge as potential candidate for selective detection of trace amounts of nitro explosives in waste water.