Synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles using orange fruit peel extract for efficient remediation of dye pollutant in wastewater.

The removal of color-causing compounds from wastewater is a significant challenge that industries encounter due to their toxic, carcinogenic, and harmful properties. Despite the extensive research and development of various techniques with the objective of effectively degrading color pollutants, the challenge still persists. This paper introduces a simple technique for producing iron oxide nanoparticles (FeO NPs) using orange fruit peel for sustainable dye degradation in aqueous environment. The observation of color change and the measurement of UV-visible absorbance at 240 nm provided a confirmation for the development of FeO NPs. Transmission electron microscopy examination demonstrated that the FeO NPs have an agglomerated distribution and forming spherical structures with size ranging from 25-80 nm. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis supported the existence of Fe and O. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy conducted to investigate the involvement of orange peel extract in the reduction, capping, and synthesis of FeO NPs from the precursor salt. FeO NPs showed a photocatalytic remediation of 97%, for methylene blue under visible light irradiation. Additionally, prepared NPs exhibited concentration depended biofilm inhibition action against E. coli and S. aureus. In conclusion, FeO NPs can efficiently purify water and suppress pathogens due to their strong degrading activity, reusability, and biofilm inhibition property.