Plant protein-mediated size-controlled synthesis of magnetite nanoparticles – Studies on optical properties

Abstract

In today’s scenario nanotechnology has great importance in all scientific and non-scientific sectors. In this study, we have synthesized magnetite nanoparticles coated by the proteins available in the Datura leaf extract through a green and eco-friendly method. From the resulting spectrum obtained on Fe₃O₄ for different volumes of leaf extract of Datura leaf, the surface plasmon resonance seems to be varying with the volume of capping agent. The data shows that as the volume of capping agent increases the SPR value is shifted to red-end. The E_g values increase with the increasing volume of capping agents. The evaluated band gap (E_g) values are close to semiconductors (0-3 eV). The values indicate that the formed Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles are marginally semiconducting. The E_g values are found to be dependent upon the volume of the capping agent. The properties of nano-sized semiconductor particles depend on particle size. Here, the absorption peaks (λ_max) are consistently increased giving rise to red-shift. The value of surface plasmon resonance shift confirmed that particle size is decreased.

KEY WORDS: Green synthesis, Magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs), Leaf extract, Band gap, Optical properties, Surface plasmon resonance

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2024, 38(2), 493-499.                                                              

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v38i2.16