Photodegradation of cephalexin and amoxicillin through green-synthesized MgO@folic acid nanoparticles

One of the most important aspects of nanotechnology is development of environmentally and non-toxic methods in the production of nanoparticles (NPs). In current study, magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO NPs) and MgO NPs combined with folic acid (MgO@F NPs) prepared using Ferula assa-foetida extract. The techniques utilized were Powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD), Ultraviolet-visible (UV–vis), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDX), Fourier-Transform Infrared (FT-IR) and zeta potential, which were applied to identify the physicochemical characteristics of MgO and MgO@F NPs. PXRD confirmed the cubic crystal structure of NPs. The EDS finding indicated the presence of main elements of synthesized NPs and their purity. FESEM images showed a spherical and uniform morphology for MgO NPs, which it was changed by adding folic acid to it. The band gaps of 3.5 eV and 2.3 eV were determined using Tauc plots derived from UV–vis absorption data for MgO and MgO@F NPs, respectively. MgO NPs indicated a negative zeta potential, with an average value of −19.8 mV, while zeta potential of MgO@F obtained −8.9 mV. The MgO and MgO@F NPs exhibited degradation efficiencies of 71.92 %, and 80.3 % for CPX and 74.09 % and 84.06 % for AMX, respectively, within 150 min under visible light that follows a first-order reaction model. The separation of charge, the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), synergistic effects of adsorption and photocatalysis have significantly improved photocatalytic activity. Consequently, the innovative MgO@F NPs exhibits substantial potential for the remediation of wastewater contaminated with pharmaceuticals.