Endophytic fungi mediated synthesis of iron nanoparticles: Characterization and application in methylene blue decolorization

Abstract

Endophytic microflora is a lesser approached source for nanoparticles synthesis. Myco-synthesis of iron nanoparticles was carried out using an endophytic fungi Penicillium oxalicum isolated from Tecomella undulata. Synthesized iron nanoparticles were characterized using different techniques. The UV–Visible absorption spectrum showed an absorption band at 300 ​nm, which is a characteristic of iron nanoparticles. The FTIR spectrum of iron nanoparticles showed absorption peaks ranging between 3430.70 cm−1–466.83 cm−1 range. SEM images showed 140 ​nm particles of spherical shape. AFM images indicated particle width and height being 3.9 ​nm and 100 ​nm respectively. The iron nanoparticles formed were used to study decolorization of methylene blue dye in the presence of H2O2. The dye was effectively decolourized up to 99.17% in a time interval of 6 ​h. Myco-synthesized nanoparticle mediated decolorization process confers a possibility of removal of toxic textile effluents in a sustainable way.