Plant-mediated synthesis of sustainable nZVIs anchored on loofah fiber for the degradation of Rhodamine B dye
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54939/1859-1043.j.mst.IMBE.2025.115-121Keywords:
Zero-valent iron nanoparticles; Loofah sponge; Green synthesis; Cleistocalyx operculatus; Rhodamine B removal; Sustainable materials.Abstract
This study reports a sustainable method for synthesizing zero-valent iron nanoparticles (nZVI) immobilized on loofah sponge (LS) fibers using Cleistocalyx operculatus leaf extract as a green reducing and stabilizing agent. Comprehensive characterization through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), plant digital microscopy (PDM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), confirmed successful nanoparticle formation, uniform dispersion, and effective stabilization. The synthesized composite demonstrated exceptional removal efficiency for Rhodamine B dye, exceeding 97% under optimized conditions. Importantly, the composite maintained robust performance (>65% removal efficiency) across multiple reuse cycles. The integration of biodegradable loofah sponge fibers with bioderived iron nanoparticles offers an innovative, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly approach for dye wastewater remediation, aligning closely with global sustainability and green chemistry objectives.
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