GREEN SYNTHESIS OF α-Fe2Cl3 IRON OXIDE NANOPARTICLES: EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE AND PRECURSOR CONCENTRATION

This study demonstrates an eco-friendly and sustainable method for synthesizing α‑Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles (IONPs) utilizing leaf extract from P. atlantica. The concentration of FeCl₃ ranged from 0.1 to 0.5 M, and the reaction temperature varied between 25 and 80°C. FTIR analysis showed that the plant chemicals in the extract helped stabilize the nanoparticles, and XRD analysis confirmed that the nanoparticles were pure α‑Fe₂O₃ phase and had a crystal structure. FESEM analysis revealed that the size of α‑Fe₂O₃ varied with increasing concentration, measuring from 31.6 ± 1.48 nm to 97.14 ± 10.47 nm and from 66.92 ± 1.65 to 85.25 ± 3.02 nm with increasing temperature. Particle size increased with both parameters, and some agglomeration was observed. UV-Vis spectroscopy showed that the α‑Fe₂O₃ exhibit indirect band gaps, and bandgap energies changed with particle size, where larger particles had slightly lower band gaps. These results demonstrate that simple adjustments in precursor concentration and temperature allow for precise control over nanoparticle properties, and they indicate that this plant-based synthesis provides a method for creating functional IONPs that could be used in catalysis, environmental cleanup, and nanotechnology.