Magnetic iron oxide nanorod synthesis by Wedelia urticifolia (Blume) DC. leaf extract for methylene blue dye degradation

Metal nanoparticles, particularly the ones synthesized by green methods are mostly favored for removal/degradation of dyes. Hence, leaf extract mediated synthesized magnetic iron nanostructures were selected for the efficient removal of methylene blue dye. The ease in the separation of magnetic nanoparticles from aquatic environments is an additional advantage. In the present study, magnetic iron oxide nanorods were synthesized using aqueous leaf extract of Wedelia urticifolia and characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, TEM, and PPMS. The characterization techniques revealed the monodispersed rod-shaped nanostructures of an average length of 70 nm and a width range of 15-20 nm with a weak ferromagnetism. The photocatalytic degradation ability of methylene blue dye in the aquatic environment of as-synthesized nanorods was investigated in detail. The present study demonstrated that as-synthesized nanostructures possess strong dye degradation capability and could be used for the effective degradation of dyes form water and wastewater.