A New Wax Gourd <i>(Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn.)</i> ‐Assisted Green Synthesis Method of Metal Oxides (TiO ₂ , MgO)

Abstract In the reaction environment of wax gourd extract, titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) and magnesium oxide (MgO) were synthesized by microemulsion method. Under atmospheric pressure, the optimum conditions for preparing TiO 2 and MgO nanoparticles were investigated at different reaction temperatures and time. The obtained optimal reaction conditions are as follows: when the amount of TiCl 3 solution was 70 µL, the mass ratio of wax gourd extract to water was 1:2, the reaction time was 60 min, and the reaction temperature was 35 °C, rod‐like TiO 2 particles with the best dispersion and crystallinity were obtained. When the amount of MgCl 2 solution was 10 mL, the amount of wax gourd extract was 40 mL, the reaction time was 120 min, and the reaction temperature was 70 °C, the prepared MgO particles exhibited a spindle shape with the best dispersion and crystallinity. Wax gourd‐assisted synthesis of TiO 2 and MgO provides not only a new synthesis idea for the preparation of metal oxides, but also a green environmental protection system, which conforms to the concept of sustainable development.