Optimization of Phytosynthesis of Magnesium Oxide and Magnesium Chloride Nanoparticles

Abstract

In the present study, magnesium oxide (MgO) and magnesium chloride (MgCl) nanoparticles were phytosynthesized. Selected parameters like leaf extracts from Moringa oleifera, Vernonia amygadalina and Occimum gratissimum, time of reaction, precursor salts of magnesium oxide and magnesium chloride at varying concentrations, plant extracts to precursor salts volume ratio, pH of the medium and light sources were optimized for a better production of the nanoparticles. The phytosynthesized MgO and MgCl nanoparticles were characterized using UV- Vis spectroscopy technique. The study revealed that the leaf extracts of Moringa oleifera and Vernonia amyg dalina yielded more nanoparticles; the period of 24 hours incubation was enough time for nanoparticles formation and the 0.1 and 0.01 molar concentrations of the precursor salts gave optimal yields of the nanoparticles. The plant extracts at ratio two (2) to precursor salt solution at ratio three (3) resulted in better yield of the nanoparticles; the alkaline pH of 9 and 11 gave better nanoparticles synthesis and the visible light source and dark room environments were better exposure conditions for the nanoparticles formation.

Keywords: Leaf extracts, Magnesium chloride nanoparticles, Magnesium oxide nanoparticles, Phytosynthesis, UV- Vis spectroscopy.