A New Wax Gourd (Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn.)-Assisted Green Synthesis Method of Metal Oxides (TiO2, MgO)

Abstract

In the reaction environment of wax gourd extract, titanium dioxide (TiO₂) and magnesium oxide (MgO) were synthesized by microemulsion method. Under atmospheric pressure, the optimum conditions for preparing TiO₂ and MgO nanoparticles were investigated at different reaction temperatures and time. The obtained optimal reaction conditions are as follows: when the amount of TiCl₃ solution was 70 µL, the mass ratio of wax gourd extract to water was 1:2, the reaction time was 60 min, and the reaction temperature was 35 °C, rod-like TiO₂ particles with the best dispersion and crystallinity were obtained. When the amount of MgCl₂ solution was 10 mL, the amount of wax gourd extract was 40 mL, the reaction time was 120 min, and the reaction temperature was 70 °C, the prepared MgO particles exhibited a spindle shape with the best dispersion and crystallinity. Wax gourd-assisted synthesis of TiO₂ and MgO provides not only a new synthesis idea for the preparation of metal oxides, but also a green environmental protection system, which conforms to the concept of sustainable development.