Waste to Resource: Utilizing Litchi ( <scp> <i>Litchi chinensis</i> </scp> ) Peel Extract in Sustainable Bio‐Fabrication of MgO Nanoparticles for Wastewater Remediation

The increasing number of artificial dyes from industrial processes contaminating water sources requires more efficient and sustainable techniques for wastewater remediation. This study involves the utilization of litchi (Litchi chinensis) fruit peels in the green synthesis of magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO-NPs). Further, for the characterization of eco-friendly MgO-NPs, ultraviolet-visible spectra, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy were utilized. An absorption peak at 274 nm from UV-visible spectroscopy indicates the development of MgO-NPs. The particle average size was found to be 96.33 nm with a polydispersity index of 0.32. The application of the synthesized nanoparticle was evaluated for the removal of malachite green and Eriochrome Black T. The biosynthesized nanoparticles demonstrated an enhanced photocatalytic activity, effectively removing malachite green (95.66%) and Eriochrome Black T (92.69%) from contaminated water under solar light irradiation. These results reveal that the green-synthesized MgO-NPs achieved significant efficiency in dye removal, highlighting their potential as a cost-effective and sustainable approach for wastewater treatment applications.