Green biosynthesis and characterization of magnetic iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles using seaweed (Sargassum muticum) aqueous extract

• Published in: Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Vol. 18; no. 5; pp. 5954 - 5964
• Main Authors: Mahdavi, Mahnaz, Namvar, Farideh, Ahmad, Mansor Bin, Mohamad, Rosfarizan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 21.05.2013; MDPI
• Subjects: Algae; Biosynthesis; Chlorides - chemistry; Electrons; Ferric Compounds - chemical synthesis; Ferric Compounds - chemistry; Fourier transforms; green synthesis; iron oxide nanoparticles; magnetic; Magnetic resonance imaging; Microscopy; Nanoparticles; Nanoparticles - chemistry; Nanoparticles - ultrastructure; Particle Size; Plant Extracts - chemistry; Sargassum - chemistry; Sargassum muticum; Seaweed - chemistry; Iran; Selangor Malaysia; Malaysia
• ISSN: 1420-3049; 1420-3049
• DOI: 10.3390/molecules18055954

The synthesis of nanoparticles has become a matter of great interest in recent times due to their various advantageous properties and applications in a variety of fields. The exploitation of different plant materials for the biosynthesis of nanoparticles is considered a green technology because it does not involve any harmful chemicals. In this study, iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4-NPs) were synthesized using a rapid, single step and completely green biosynthetic method by reduction of ferric chloride solution with brown seaweed (BS, Sargassum muticum) water extract containing sulphated polysaccharides as a main factor which acts as reducing agent and efficient stabilizer. The structural and properties of the Fe3O4-NPs were investigated by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDXRF), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) and transmission electron microscopy. The average particle diameter as determined by TEM was found to be 18 ± 4 nm. X-ray diffraction showed that the nanoparticles are crystalline in nature, with a cubic shape. The nanoparticles synthesized through this biosynthesis method can potentially useful in various applications.