View in EDS

Bioinspired synthesis of titania nanoparticles with enhanced crystallinity and tunable optoelectronic features.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Bioinspired synthesis of titania nanoparticles with enhanced crystallinity and tunable optoelectronic features.
Authors: Zahan, Nusrat1 (AUTHOR), Alam, Md Rashed1 (AUTHOR), Sultana, Munira1 (AUTHOR), Sharmin, Afrina1 (AUTHOR), Ahmed, Shahran1 (AUTHOR), Jahan, Sharmin1 (AUTHOR), Bashar, M.S.1 (AUTHOR) bashar@agni.com
Source: Ceramics International. Oct2025:Part B, Vol. 51 Issue 25, p46058-46072. 15p.
Subjects: Sustainable chemistry, Neem, Environmental remediation, Band gaps, Titanium dioxide
Abstract: While green synthesis offers an eco-friendly route to titanium dioxide (TiO 2) nanoparticles, a lack of systematic parameter control often limits the ability to tailor their properties for specific applications. This study addresses this gap by comprehensively investigating the effects of neem leaf (Azadirachta indica) condition, solvent, and calcination temperature to establish a controllable synthesis framework. To assess the impact of different parameters, both fresh and dry neem leaves were extracted using ethanol, isopropanol, and acetonitrile solvents. The resulting nanoparticles were subjected to calcination at 500 °C and 900 °C to produce the anatase and rutile crystal phases, respectively. A comprehensive characterization was conducted employing techniques for analyzing their crystallographic, morphological, and photonic attributes. XRD analysis verified the purity of the crystalline phases, revealing the smallest crystallite size (11.85 nm) for nanoparticles synthesized using fresh leaves and ethanol. SEM imaging displayed consistently uniform, pseudo-spherical particles with particle sizes ranging from 75 to 80 nm at 500 °C and 80–95 nm at 900 °C, highlighting the effectiveness of the green synthesis method in achieving well-defined morphologies. EDS analysis confirmed a Ti:O stoichiometric ratio close to 1:2, affirming material purity. UV-DRS measurements demonstrated band gap energies between 3.18 and 3.31 eV at 500 °C and 3.08–3.11 eV at 900 °C, closely resembling those of chemically pure TiO 2 , reinforcing the reliability of this synthesis route. Raman spectroscopy indicated that the nanoparticles produced using isopropanol exhibited superior surface crystallinity, accompanied by a notably low Urbach energy (∼177 meV), suggesting a highly ordered structure with minimal defects. These findings underscore the potential of neem leaf extracts as an accessible, sustainable, and effective alternative for producing high-quality TiO 2 nanoparticles. Based on their tailored properties, these nanoparticles are expected to show potential for diverse applications, including photo catalysis, environmental remediation, and renewable energy technologies, contributing to the advancement of green chemistry and sustainable nanomaterials. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Ceramics International is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Engineering Source
Description
Abstract:While green synthesis offers an eco-friendly route to titanium dioxide (TiO 2) nanoparticles, a lack of systematic parameter control often limits the ability to tailor their properties for specific applications. This study addresses this gap by comprehensively investigating the effects of neem leaf (Azadirachta indica) condition, solvent, and calcination temperature to establish a controllable synthesis framework. To assess the impact of different parameters, both fresh and dry neem leaves were extracted using ethanol, isopropanol, and acetonitrile solvents. The resulting nanoparticles were subjected to calcination at 500 °C and 900 °C to produce the anatase and rutile crystal phases, respectively. A comprehensive characterization was conducted employing techniques for analyzing their crystallographic, morphological, and photonic attributes. XRD analysis verified the purity of the crystalline phases, revealing the smallest crystallite size (11.85 nm) for nanoparticles synthesized using fresh leaves and ethanol. SEM imaging displayed consistently uniform, pseudo-spherical particles with particle sizes ranging from 75 to 80 nm at 500 °C and 80–95 nm at 900 °C, highlighting the effectiveness of the green synthesis method in achieving well-defined morphologies. EDS analysis confirmed a Ti:O stoichiometric ratio close to 1:2, affirming material purity. UV-DRS measurements demonstrated band gap energies between 3.18 and 3.31 eV at 500 °C and 3.08–3.11 eV at 900 °C, closely resembling those of chemically pure TiO 2 , reinforcing the reliability of this synthesis route. Raman spectroscopy indicated that the nanoparticles produced using isopropanol exhibited superior surface crystallinity, accompanied by a notably low Urbach energy (∼177 meV), suggesting a highly ordered structure with minimal defects. These findings underscore the potential of neem leaf extracts as an accessible, sustainable, and effective alternative for producing high-quality TiO 2 nanoparticles. Based on their tailored properties, these nanoparticles are expected to show potential for diverse applications, including photo catalysis, environmental remediation, and renewable energy technologies, contributing to the advancement of green chemistry and sustainable nanomaterials. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:02728842
DOI:10.1016/j.ceramint.2025.07.318