Glycyrrhiza glabra bio-inspire the growth of monodispersed iron oxalate nanoparticles: A sustainable catalyst for dyes degradation

Abstract

The biosynthesis of metal nanoparticles using the plant itself (excluding the extraction process) is a novel option benefited with maximizing the use of the raw materials, minimizing the production cost, promoting the sustainability of the process, and preventing the use/release of toxic chemicals. A high performance iron oxalate heterogeneous nanocatalyst was bio-synthesized using Glycyrrhiza glabra and ascorbic acid through solid-state pathway. Based on detailed characterization, the results revealed the preparation of monodispersed iron oxalate nanoparticles with orthorhombic crystalline phase. The prepared iron oxalate showed a spherical-like shape with particle size in the range of 13–30 nm. The ascorbic acid reduces the Fe3+ to Fe2+ forming ferrous ascorbate which decomposed into iron oxalate. The hydroxyl and carbonyl groups present in the Glycyrrhiza glabra helped in capping and stabilizing the iron oxalate nanoparticles. The green-synthesized iron oxalate clearly showed an efficient catalytic performance in the reduction and oxidation of dyes for sequential catalytic cycles. Also, the green iron oxalate successfully catalyzed the degradation of the mixture of dyes. The proposed green catalyst was loaded to polymeric film for the easy-separation of the nanoparticles.