Abstract
A novel eco-friendly procedure was developed to produce safer, stable and highly pure zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using microalgae Chlorella extract. The ZnO NPs were synthesized simply using zinc nitrate and microalgae Chlorella extract which conducted at ambient conditions. In this recipe, microalgae Chlorella extract acted as the reducing agent and a stabilizing layer on fresh ZnO NPs. UV–visible spectrum was confirmed the formation of ZnO NPs showing an absorption peak at 362 nm. XRD results demonstrated that prepared ZnO NPs has a high-crystalline hexagonal (Wurtzite) structure, with average size about 19.44 nm in diameter. FT-IR spectral analysis indicated an active contribution of algae-derived biomolecules in zinc ions bioreduction. According to SEM and TEM observations, ZnO NPs are well dispersed and has a hexagonal shape with the average size of 20 ± 2.2 nm, respectively. Based on gas chromatography analyses, the optimum 0.01 g/L dosage of ZnO catalyst revealed an effective photocatalytic activity toward the degradation (97%) of Dibenzothiophene (DBT) contaminant as an organosulfur model in the neutral pH at the mild condition. Rapid separation and facile recyclability at five consecutive runs were demonstrated high efficiency and durability of green ZnO nanophotocatalyst. The possible mechanisms of green ZnO NPs formation and the photo-desulfurization of DBT were also proposed.
Highlights
Promising alternatives to chemical methods[11,12]
The visual color change is the preliminary evidence for nanoparticle synthesis; the biosynthesis process of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) was confirmed through gradual alteration of color from light green to white precipitate (Fig. 2)
Several biological ZnO NPs synthesized by various green sources such as Ixora Coccinea[22], and Aloe vera[23] extracts have revealed comparable absorption peaks for bio-assisted ZnO nanoparticles
Summary
Promising alternatives to chemical methods[11,12]. Among a variety of biosynthetic approaches, algae extracts have attracted increasing attention as a synthesis platform for various inorganic nanoparticles[13]. Chlorella microalgae is a biodiverse division of autotrophic organisms that typically found in aquatic environments It form the base of the food cycle and supply energy for all higher trophic levels[14]. Green Chlorella microalgae is naturally occurring biotic material that abundantly available in freshwater and marine systems. It is rich source of various organic biomacromolecules of interest (proteins, lipids, starch) which can be utilized as an alternative renewable source for the phycosynthesis of nanoparticles[15]. Following our previous studies on green synthesis of NPs9, we report a facile, green, low-cost and homemade method for preparing stable and pure ZnO NPs by microalgae Chlorella, free from chemical additives such as bases, acids and organic solvents (Fig. 1)[20]. The ultimate disposal of DBT is extremely hazardous to the aquatic environment and shows acute toxicity to the health of living things[21]
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