Improved photocatalytic and free radical scavenging studies of synthesized polymer PVP/Azadirachta indica leave extract-mediated Ni-Zn doped hematite nanoparticles

Abstract

The utilisation of ecological materials, such as plant extracts, is a superior alternative to both physical and chemical techniques for the synthesis of nanoscale metallic particles. The current study concluded that the chemical polymer (PVP) and Azadirachta indica (A. indica) plant extract synthesised hematite nanoparticles (HNPs) were spherical, monodispersed, and served as an agent for reducing and capping. The pure HNPs with the most reliable rhombohedral symmetry were found to be crystalline thanks to the crisp x-ray diffraction (XRD) reflections. Spheroidal nanostructures were formed, as seen by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and their composition was validated by an energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) study. At room temperature, HNPs were antiferromagnetic with blocking temperature of 300 K. When used as a catalyst, the NPs were exposed to effective degradation and coefficient of determination (R 2) of the toxic Eosin Yellow (EY) and Bismarck Brown Y (BBY) dyes in the presence of UV irradiation. After four consecutive cycles, efficient performance was achieved without any evident catalytic loss. Additionally, the reusability experiments revealed that under direct UV light illumination, duel-doped HNPs may be successfully used three times. The biosynthesised doped HNPs from A. indica leaf extract demonstrated antioxidant activity through their high phenolic and flavonoid contents, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and reductive potential.