Green synthesis of cerium oxide nanoparticles using Portulaca oleracea Extract: Photocatalytic activities
Khaoula Hkiri, Hamza Elsayed Ahmed Mohamed, Suresh Ghotekar, Malik Maaza
Abstract
• Nanoceria successfully synthesised by a new eco-friendly precipitation method for the first time to using the Portulaca oleracea extract. • Physical properties of nanoceria were studied. • MB and MO photocatalysis performance high efficiency. This paper presents a novel method for synthesizing cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO 2 NPs) using Portulaca oleracea extract, focusing on their structural, optical, and photocatalytic properties. CeO 2 NPs were prepared through a simple, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly protocol, utilizing the reducing and stabilizing properties of Portulaca oleracea. Structural analysis revealed the formation of cubic CeO 2 with an average crystallite size of 16 nm. Optical studies using FTIR and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the characteristic absorption bands of Ce-O and O-Ce-O bonds, while HR-TEM imaging showcased quasi-spherical nanoparticles with sizes ranging from 4 nm to 14 nm. The synthesized CeO 2 NPs exhibited significant photocatalytic activity towards the degradation of methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO) under visible light irradiation. The degradation efficiencies achieved were 98 % for MB and 95 % for MO. Kinetic analysis indicated pseudo-first-order degradation kinetics, with observed rate constants of 0.018 min −1 for MO and 0.014 min −1 for MB. Furthermore, CeO 2 NPs demonstrated stable and reusable photocatalytic performance over five cycles, highlighting their potential for practical applications in wastewater treatment. Overall, this study presents a promising eco-friendly approach for synthesizing CeO 2 NPs with enhanced photocatalytic properties, contributing to the advancement of green nanotechnology for environmental remediation.