Green Synthesis of Titanium Oxide Nanoparticles Using Murraya Paniculata Leaf Extract for Enhanced Photocatalytic Degradation of Congo Red

Abstract

: Due to the growing amount of dye-laden industrial effluents being released into water bodies, there is a need for developing efficient and sustainable remediation methods. Herein, titanium oxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles was synthesis via green route using the leaf extract from Murraya paniculata as reduction and capping/stabilizing agent. The biosynthesized titanium oxide nanoparticles were characterized using advance analytical tools such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) and UV-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometry.  XRD analysis confirmed the formation of highly crystalline anatase phase TiO₂ having crystallite size 18.4 nm while FTIR confirm the presence of Ti–O–Ti stretching mode. BET analysis revealed the presence of mesoporosity and a large specific surface area of 235.505 m²/g suitable for photocatalytic application. UV–visible revealed strong absorption of 256 nm in the UV region consistent with the optical properties of TiO₂ and suitable for photocatalytic processes. Nanoparticles showed 73.0% degradation efficiency of Congo red dye after 120 minute of irradiation with UV light.