Toward sustainable nanomaterials: An innovative ecological approach for biogenic synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles with potential photocatalytic activity

Abstract

Biogenic synthesis of nanomaterials represents a promising alternative to traditional chemical synthesis due to its environmentally friendly nature, cost-effectiveness, low toxicity, and high biocompatibility. The primary objective of this study was to develop a novel biogenic synthesis method for titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles using an aqueous extract of Annona muricata L. as a stabilizing and organic reducing agent. Furthermore, our aim included a comprehensive exploration of the structural, morphological, and optical properties of these nanostructures. The methodology employed in this project was grounded in the biogenic synthesis of TiO₂, utilizing the aforementioned extract as a key component. We conducted a comprehensive characterization approach to unravel the formation mechanism and validate the morphology and crystalline structure of the nanomaterial. We successfully synthesized nanoparticles with spherical morphology and an average diameter of 13.41 nm, characterized by their remarkable uniformity and high-quality crystalline structure. Additionally, we assessed the applicability of these nanoparticles in photocatalysis processes aimed at the degradation of organic dyes. Our findings indicated efficient initial activity in the kinetics of methylene blue dye degradation, with a reduction of 59.25 % within the first 30 min of exposure.