Development of novel green tricobalt tetroxide nanoparticles: Photocatalytic activity and in vitro safety profile
Inadequate industrial effluent treatment poses a serious socio-environmental issue. Eco-friendly nanomaterials from plant extracts have been explored as alternative nanocatalysts. In this context, this study synthesized and characterized tricobalt tetroxide nanoparticles (Co 3 O 4 NPs) from Ginkgo biloba extract for Congo Red (CR) dye photodegradation under visible light. Co 3 O 4 NPs exhibited a positive surface charge (9.76 mV), heterogenous morphology, and a band gap energy of 3.12 eV. Ideal condition ([CR] = 20 mg L −1 , [Co 3 O 4 NPs] = 0.80 g L −1 , pH = 4) achieved 99.4 % degradation, with an apparent rate of the pseudo first-order reaction ( k ) of 0.0253 min −1 . After four reuse cycles, efficiency decreased to 77.27 %, indicating photocatalytic stability. In vitro tests on VERO cells showed cytotoxic effects, with reduced viability and increased oxidative stress . Therefore, Co 3 O 4 NPs showed promise as nanocatalysts for wastewater treatment containing dyes, at the same time, it was indicated as a safe material for cells in low concentrations.
Authors
- Alencar Kolinski Machado (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2003-8420)
- André Galembeck (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6361-9869)
- Denise Crocce Romano Espinosa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2359-9485)
- Giovani Pavoski (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2610-6669)
- Claudinei dos Santos (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9398-0639)
- Yolice Patricia Moreno Ruiz (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1976-003X)
- Daniel Moro Druzian (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1475-5466)
- Robson Dias Wouters (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5420-4952)
- William Leonardo da Silva (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7804-9678)
- Maurício Dalla Costa Rodrigues da Silva (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7366-5316)
- Giovana Kolinski Cossettin Bonazza (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-3600-561X)
Institutions
- Universidade de São Paulo (BR)
- Universidade Franciscana (BR)
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (BR)
- Franciscan University (BR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Separation and Purification Technology
- Published
- 2025-04-04
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2025.132732
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Advanced Nanomaterials in Catalysis
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.52
Funders
- Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
- Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
- Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul