Iron Complex Nanoparticles Synthesized by Eucalyptus Leaves

Abstract

Iron–polyphenol complex nanoparticles (Fe–P NPs) were synthesized using Eucalyptus leaves, which have potential for water purification and groundwater remediation due to their excellent adsorption–flocculation capacity. The Fe–P NPs have been characterized using transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). The result has shown that the Fe–P NPs are amorphous materials with sizes ranging from 40 to 60 nm. XAS investigation suggested that ferric ion is located in globular nanoparticles chelated by plant polyphenols. Maximum adsorption–flocculation capacity for acid black 194 with Fe–P NPs has been observed at 1.6 g per gram of Fe–P NPs at 25 °C.