Green biosynthesis of Fe3O4 nanoparticles using Chlorella vulgaris extract for enhancing degradation of 2,4 dinitrophenol

Abstract

ObjectivesThis study aimed to provide the excellent role of Chlorella vulgaris extract as a green, reducing agent for improving and enhancing the effectiveness and performance of as-prepared NPs, which is higher than bare Fe3O4. MethodsThe extract of the algal cell of Chlorella vulgaris is used as a green, reducing agent was used to prepare green Fe3O4 NPs to improve and enhance the degradation effectiveness of 2,4 dinitrophenol (2,4 DNP) in their aqueous solution using UV irradiation. The as-synthesized bare Fe3O4 and green Fe3O4 NPs were characterized using UV–VIS spectroscopy, TEM, SEM, EDX, XRD, and FT-IR spectroscopy to determine bandgap energy, particle size, structural morphology, crystallite nature, phase structure, elemental compositions, and existed functional group. ResultsSEM and TEM images indicated that the as-synthesized NPs have a regular spherical shape with a mean size ranging between 13.68 and 31.71 nm. The energy bandgap (Eg) indicated the green Fe3O4 NPs have low values (2.73 and 2.3 eV) than bare Fe3O4 (2.89 eV). The maximum degradation of 2,4 DNP was achieved at pH = 8, 90 min contact time, 0.35 g/L catalyst dose, and 100 mg/L 2,4 DNP concentration. ConclusionThe degradation results proved that green Fe3O4 NPs have more effectiveness than bare Fe3O4 NPs.