Synthesis and characterization of multi-responsive iron oxide nanoparticles: Evaluation of antibacterial properties and photocatalytic activity

Abstract

Cape gooseberry (CG) plant leaf extract-mediated iron oxide nanoparticles (CG-IO NPs) were fabricated for antibacterial research. The ideal concentration of the precursor salt, pH (11) of the reaction mixture, reducing agent to precursor salt ratio, and the production time of iron oxide nanoparticles were 5 mM, 9.0, 3:7, and 25 min, respectively. The iron oxide nanoparticles were tested using ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. FTIR spectroscopy was used to identify functional groups of the compounds, including the carbonyl, CH, and OH bands that reduced and produced nanoparticles. The size and shape of the synthesized CG-IO NPs were determined by TEM and dynamic light scattering, with the median and mean size of 13.9 nm and 15.8 nm, respectively. The thermal stability of the synthesized CG-IO NPs was assessed using TG/DTA in a nitrogen atmosphere. The elements and oxidation states of the CG-IO NP components were examined by XPS. The luminosity of the CG-IO NP was examined using PL spectroscopy. The synthetic CG-IO NPs exhibited strong antibacterial effects against dangerous bacteria, such as Salmonella enterica (S. entirica), Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus agalactiae, and Staphylococcus aureus. CG-IO NPs assisted in water reclamation by decomposing Malachite Green dye under solar light irradiation.