Investigation of Photocatalytic and Seed Germination Effects of TiO2 Nanoparticles Synthesized by Melia azedarach L. Leaf Extract.

The captivating properties and versatile applications of TiO₂ nanoparticles make them one of the emerging and widely used nanomaterials in current era. Green synthesis of nanoparticles is normally exploited to ensure environment friendly route and as potential candidate in their applications. In this work, owing to the sensitive applications of TiO₂ nanoparticles in water purification and agriculture, green synthesis was preferred using leaf extract of Melia azedarach L. as reducing and capping agent. Optical, structural and morphological properties of the synthesized nanoparticles were examined by UV–Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) respectively, which revealed their crystallinity and spherical shape with 50–71 nm size. Functional groups responsible for the effective fabrication and stability of nanoparticles were indicated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and purity of synthesized nanoparticles was analysed by Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. Nanoparticles were found to be pure, well dispersed and rutile in nature. TiO₂ nanoparticles exhibited efficient degradation of Eosin dye, demonstrated as prototype of polluted water. Moreover, TiO₂ nanoparticles were also found quite efficient in enhancing germination of Pennisetum glaucum seeds and represented germination index of 89.3. Therefore, green synthesized TiO₂ nanoparticles by Melia azedarach L. extract can be employed as fertilizing and catalysing agents in the field of food and agriculture and as decontaminating and purifying agents in the field of environmental purification as future prospects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]