Green synthesis of iron nanoparticles using Syzygium aromaticum extracts and their applications: Nitrate removal, malachite green degradation and antibacterial activity

Abstract

In recent years, the use of green synthesized nanoparticles has emerged as a promising approach to address the challenges associated with environmental pollution. The contamination of water resources, particularly the rise in nitrate and textile dye concentrations poses serious risks to both human health and aquatic ecosystems, promoting eutrophication. In this regard, the current study aimed to synthesize iron nanoparticles (FeNPs) from Syzygium aromaticum extract and characterize their physicochemical properties using various analytical techniques, including Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), UV–Visible (UV–Vis), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). The synthesized nanomaterials were then tested for their efficiency in removing nitrate and degrading the malachite green (MG) in aquatic systems. The batch experiments demonstrated that the green synthesized zero-valent iron particles (SA-FeNPs) and magnetite particles (SA-MNPs), using clove extract, removed 43 % and 36 % of nitrate, respectively, and degraded 29 % and 63 % of MG. These results suggest the feasibility of using green synthesized nanoparticles as a potential remediation strategy for addressing the issue of water pollution. Moreover, the nitrate removal and MG degradation by SA-FeNPs and SA-MNPs followed the pseudo-second-order adsorption model (∼R² = 0.99) in the kinetic study. The findings of the study demonstrate the potential of green synthesized FeNPs for their effectiveness in removing nitrate and degrading MG in aquatic systems. Furthermore, the antibacterial activity of the synthesized FeNPs was evaluated against both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. The green synthesized FeNPs demonstrated good antibacterial activity, suggesting their potential to be used as an alternative material for developing effective antimicrobial agents. The results highlight the importance of green synthesis of FeNPs using Syzygium aromaticum extract as a sustainable approach for nitrate removal, MG degradation, and antibacterial activity in aquatic systems.