DETERMINATION OF THE MORPHOLOGY OF TiO<sub>2</sub> PARTICLES OBTAINED BY GREEN SYNTHESIS USING WASTE BIOMASS

Nanoparticles have become essential in diverse applications, notably in photocatalysis and wastewater treatment. The morphology of photocatalytic materials significantly influences their efficiency. In this study titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles were synthesized using mandarin peel extract via a green chemistry approach, offering a simple, cost-effective, and eco-friendly alternative to conventional methods of synthesis. The main focus was on the morphological characterization of the synthesized TiO₂ nanoparticles using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). SEM analysis revealed rod-shaped particles with sizes ranging from 120 to 260 nm, uniformly distributed and aggregated across the sample. This morphology is favorable for photocatalytic applications due to increased surface area. EDS confirmed the elemental composition, indicating the successful formation of TiO₂. The study highlights the potential of agrowaste-based synthesis for producing functional nanomaterials with applications in photocatalysis and wastewater treatment.