Green synthesis and characterization of Ag-Fe bivalent nanoparticles for One Health management and environmental sustainability

Nanotechnology has emerged as a transformative field with diverse applications, particularly in environmental and biomedical sectors. Among these, bimetallic nanoparticles, especially silver-iron (Ag-Fe) nanocomposites, have gained attention due to their enhanced antimicrobial activity, catalytic efficiency, and potential use in dye degradation, wastewater remediation, and drug delivery. Despite extensive research in various domains, their potential for treating hospital wastewater remains underexplored. Hospital wastewater contains a complex mixture of pharmaceuticals, pathogens, and heavy metals, posing serious environmental and public health risks. This study addresses the persistent pharmaceutical and microbiological contaminants in hospital effluents by employing neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf extract in the green synthesis of silver-iron (Ag-Fe) bimetallic nanoparticles. These nanoparticles demonstrated potent synergistic effects, fusing iron’s catalytic redox potential with silver’s antimicrobial activity.The neem-mediated synthesis offers a sustainable nanotechnology-based solution for hospital wastewater treatment.