Green Synthesis of Magnetite Nanoparticles Using Leaf Plant Extracts of South American Endemic Cryptocarya alba

Abstract

Background: Due to their extremely small size, large surface area, and magnetism, magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4NPs) have distinct chemical and physical properties, enhancing their suitability for a variety of medical, biosensing, electronic, and environmental applications. Methods: Magnetite nanoparticles were easily obtained by green synthesis using leaf extracts of the South American endemic Cryptocaria alba (Peumo) tree. FeNPs were characterized by using UV-visible spectrophotometry, Transmission Electronic Microscopy (TEM), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). Results: Fe3O4NPs were successfully synthetized, and they showed crystalline nature, primary dry diameter means between 12 nm and 15 nm, spherical apparent shape, and good stability in aqueous suspension. Additionally, preliminary studies indicated that low concentrations of magnetite nanoparticles (1000 times lower than the literature reported) reduced chemical oxygen demand (COD), apart from concentrations of total phosphates and nitrates from pisciculture wastewater samples incubated for 24 h. Conclusions: Green synthesis of Peumo iron nanoparticles is an easy, fast, and viable ecofriendly bioprocess under certain conditions of fabrication to obtain nanometric and stable iron particles with promising removal properties of nitrates, phosphates, and COD from wastewaters.