Greener synthesis of MNPs using Achyranthesaspera leaf extract: compared photocatalytic activity, reduction, and adsorption investigations for the environmental remediation

A greener method described using water extract leaves of Achyranthesaspera plant (Uttarani plant) employed for iron oxide nanoparticles (MNPs) preparation, and demonstrated application of the prepared NPs for dye removal from the contaminated water by photo chemically. The Achyranthes aspera leaves were used for the first time for the iron oxide NPs preparation as a biogenic method. The phytochemical present in the extracted solution served as a reducing agent, facilitating NPs formation. The prepared MNPs homogeneity was examined by FT-IR, UV-Vis, XRD, HR-SEM, and VSM analyses. Further, these MNPs were utilized for the decolourization of the industrial effluent (IE) and methylene blue (MB), and the catalytic reduction properties of 4-NA to 4-AA were evaluated. The decolourization of the MB and IE was monitored by UV-Vis, and followed by kinetic comparisons and HR-MS analysis, which revealed that adsorption takes place on the surface.