Abstract:
Iron nanoparticles have been extensively studied, synthesized and used in
many applications due to its distinctive characteristics suc h as magnetic
properties and biocompatibility. Conventional synthetic methods utilize
toxic and potentially hazardous chemicals which lead to various biological
and environmental risks. Thus a green synthesis of iron oxide
nanoparticles has explored to establish an eco friendly, economical method,
using an abundant plant species in Sri Lanka. Invasive plant Eicchornia
crassipes (water is a good candidate towards developing a greener
synthetic method due to the presence of sulfated polysacchari des that act as
a strong reducing agent during the synthetic process. Phytochemical
screening was carried out to identify the phytochemicals present in aqueous
and methanolic extracts of the plant. Both extracts were rich in alkaloids,
saponins, steroids and carbohydrates. Iron oxide nanoparticles were
synthesized by aqueous extract of freeze dried petiole parts of Eicchornia
crassipes and 0.08 M FeCl 3. 6H 2 O as the iron precursor. Sulfated
polysaccharide coated, moderately stable and water soluble iron o xide
nanoparticles were obtained from the synthesis at 45 0 C. Size of the
nanoparticles was determined using a particle analyzer and the mean
diameter of synthesized NPs is 50 120 nm and about 61% from the total
population is below 100 nm . FTIR spectrosc opic data of synthesized
nanopatrticles supported the fact that nanoparticles are functionalized with
negatively charged sulfated polysaccharides. It is further proved by the
negative zeta potential value ( 23.7 mV). PXRD analysis results showed
that synt hesized particles were amorphous in nature. Proper modifications
of this greener method have a huge potential towards developing more
efficient iron oxide nanoparticle synthetic method while adding value to
invasive plant Eicchornia crassipes.
