Abstract:
Bio-based synthesis of nanoparticles from various parts of plants has accomplished
huge interest, especially since it is an eco-friendly synthesis process and due to its
paramount importance in reducing environmental impact. In the present study,
secondary metabolites-rich aqueous banana peel extract was employed for the green
synthesis of urea nanoparticles as a capping agent. Banana peel (Musa acuminata)
extract, potassium hydroxide, urea, and citric acid solution were used to synthesize
nano urea. pH of the initial banana peel extract was 12.97 and it was heated to 800C
while stirring at 300rpm for 30 minutes. To synthesize urea nanoparticles, 650.0 mL
of heated banana peel extract was mixed with 5% urea and 5% citric acid solution.
Then the pH was dropped to 8.12 and that mixture was stirred at 102 rpm for 2 hours.
Urea nanoparticle synthesis was visually confirmed by the changing of brown color
to dark brown. The resulting urea nanoparticle mixture was characterized
qualitatively using UV visible spectroscopy at a range of 200nm to 600 nm. Urea
nanoparticle-specific absorption peaks were given at 425 nm and 470 nm. The green
synthesis approach not only offers a sustainable and an environmental-friendly route
to nanoparticle production but also utilizes an agricultural waste product, reducing
waste and promoting resource efficiency. This study provides a sustainable and an
economical approach to urea nanoparticle synthesis and its potential application in
agriculture to increase the yield of crops by reducing the application of bulk urea as
a fertilizer.
