Phytosynthesis and photocatalytic activity of magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles using the Andean blackberry leaf

Abstract

In the present study, a simple, low cost, and ecofriendly synthesis of magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) has been developed using Andean blackberry leaf extract. UV–vis spectroscopy technique were used to study the initial formation of Fe3O4 NPs. Morphology, crystallinity and surface properties of nanoparticles were studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Thermal gravimetric (TG) techniques. TEM and DLS characterization indicated the formation of spherical Fe3O4 NPs of average size 54.5 ± 24.6 nm. XRD and FTIR studies confirmed the existence of the cubic spinel phase of Fe3O4 NPs and FeO peak at 570 cm−1, whereas TG analysis indicated that the nanoparticles contain 94% metal and 6% capping ligand. It has been observed that, as-synthesized Fe3O4 NPs exhibited photocatalytic activity for degradation of organic dyes such as methylene blue (k = 0.0105475 min−1), congo red (k = 0.0043240 min−1), and methyl orange (k = 0.0028930 min−1), efficiently. The antioxidant activity of Fe3O4 NPs against 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl were also evaluated.