Green Route Synthesis and Preliminary Characterization of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles using Leaf Extract of Ocimum tenuiflorum

Green route synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) was successfully carried out using leaf extract of Ocimumtenuiflorum (Ram Tulsi variety). The synthesis method employed was found to be easy and made use of simpleprecursors. The IONPs thus formed were magnetic in nature and easily recovered from the solution. Preliminarycharacterization of the synthesized IONPs was carried out using UV-Visible spectroscopy. The spectrum exhibitedcharacteristic absorption peak at 282 nm corresponding to magnetite (Fe3O4). FTIR spectrum showed formation ofIONPs with distinct absorption bands assigned to the Fe-O bond stretching. XRD spectrum confirmed formation ofmagnetite along with α-Fe2O3. Further studies using TEM indicated presence of nanospheres and nanoellipsoids.Nanospheres were found to range from 3-5 nm and nanoellipsoids were of the dimensions of 100-200 nm in lengthand 20-30 nm in diameter. The dye degradation capacity of the synthesized IONPs revealed high reactivity andefficiency of dye removal showing their potential as nanocatalysts. The synthesis method reported here was foundto generate two different phases of IONPs viz. magnetite (Fe3O4) and hematite (α-Fe2O3) both of which possessimportant biomedical and environmental applications.