Green synthesis of magnetic α–Fe2O3 nanospheres using Bridelia retusa leaf extract for Fenton-like degradation of crystal violet dye

The reach of nanotechnology has permeated into a range of disciplines and systematically revolutionized many manufacturing techniques. Today, nanoparticles are fabricated using varied approaches, each with its pros and cons. Of them, the green synthesis approach has been very effective in terms of overall economics and the stability of nanoparticles. The current study investigates the use of the leaf extract of Bridelia retusa for the synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles. Typical of these nanoparticles, no specific peak was discernible on employing UV–visible spectroscopy. The size, morphological features, and crystallinity of the nanoparticles were determined by employing scanning electron microscopy and electron diffraction spectroscopy. Almost uniformly sized at 38.58 nm, the nanoparticles were spherical, constituting elemental iron at 11.5% and elemental oxygen at 59%. Their relative composition confirmed the nanoparticles to be iron oxide. X-ray diffraction studies showed the particles to be hexagonal and rhombohedral, estimating the crystallite size at 24.27 nm. BET analysis put the pore volume at 0.1198 cm3/g and pore diameter at 7.92 nm. The unique feature of the nanoparticles was that the specific surface area was 75.19 m2/g, which is more than 12 times higher than commercial α-Fe2O3. The participation of a variety of biochemicals in the leaf extract towards the reduction-cum-stabilization was confirmed using FTIR analysis. The Fenton-like catalytic activity of the nanoparticles was put to test by attempting to degrade crystal violet dye, which was completely achieved in 270 min. The kinetics of the degradation was also modelled in the study.