Eco-Friendly Synthesis of Fe2O3 Nanoparticles using Terminalia mantaly Leaf Extract: Characterization and Applications

Abstract

The present study reports the synthesis of Fe2O3 nanoparticles by an eco-friendly method using Terminalia mantaly leaf extract. This plant extract contains phytochemicals that act as reducing and stabilising agents during nanoparticle formation, without the use of any harmful chemicals. XRD, FESEM, UV-Vis and PL characterization techniques were employed for the synthesized nanoparticles. XRD analysis confirmed the crystalline nature of the synthesized Fe2O3 nanoparticles, with a crystallite size of 18.54 nm. FESEM images revealed predominantly spherical to slightly irregular nanoparticles with rough, textured surfaces and the mean particle size was calculated as 16 nm from the particle-size histogram. UV-Vis spectroscopy was used to evaluate the optical properties and the band gap was estimated to be 2.28 eV using the Tauc plot. PL analysis provided information on charge-carrier recombination and defect states within the material. Photocatalytic experiments using methylene blue showed 85% dye degradation. Antibacterial tests against different bacterial strains showed a concentration-dependent increase in the zone of inhibition, reaching up to 10 mm. The physico-chemical characteristics and functional performance of the Fe2O3 nanoparticles support their potential use in environmental remediation and antimicrobial applications, particularly for wastewater treatment and bacterial control.