Expanding horizon: green synthesis of TiO₂ nanoparticles using Carica papaya leaves for photocatalysis application

Abstract

The present research findings introduce a green as well as facile synthesis of TiO2 NPs using Carica papaya leaf extract for the first time which has potential application as a photocatalyst. XRD analysis reveals the tetragonal crystal structure for TiO2 NPs and exposes their crystalline nature as well as anatase phase evolution. FE-SEM images elucidate the cages-like morphology and provide the diametric measurements of the spherical TiO2-NPs which are well accounted to be less than 20 nm with the help of TEM images. The average particle size is calculated and found to be 15.6 nm. FTIR spectrum shows the absorption band of Ti–O stretching mode in the fingerprint region 750 cm−1 to 650 cm−1. BET results reveal the mesoporous nature of TiO2 particles with surface area and mean pore size of 81.653 m2g−1 and 8.0615 nm, respectively. UV–visible spectrum shows a strong absorption peak at a wavelength of 303 nm and the corresponding band gap energy value is calculated and found to be 3.85 eV. Remarkable photocatalytic efficiency (91.19%) towards photodegradation of RO-4 dye is exhibited by TiO2 NPs within 180 min of incubation under UV exposure at the optimum dosage of 25 mg.