Green synthesis of TiO2particles using lime juice/lime Peel extract: photo degradation of dye in water

Abstract

In this work, titanium dioxide (TiO2) particles were synthesized from bulk Titania using lime juice or lime peel as capping agents. The synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles were characterized using powder X-Ray Diffraction (p-XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) and Ultra-Violet Spectroscopy (UV-VIS). The photocatalytic property of the titania nanoparticles was tested by applying these nanoparticles to degrade methylene blue dye solution. The p-XRD pattern revealed an anatase structure. The SEM results showed that the nanoparticles capped with the lime peel extract had better shape and size distribution than those obtained from lime juice. This is quite interesting as the peel which would have been ordinarily considered a waste was found to be useful. The degradation of methylene blue showed that the titania nanoparticles could be applied to degradation of dye contaminated water. This process is simple, non-toxic, inexpensive and can be used for the remediation of effluents from dye and textile industries before they are discharged into the ocean. This in turn will keep the ocean clean and preserve the aquatic life.