Physical properties of computationally informed phyto-engineered 2-D nanoscaled hydronium jarosite

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Green Chemistry

Background:

• Traditional synthesis of minerals like jarosite can be environmentally taxing.
• Developing sustainable and cost-effective methods for nanomaterial production is crucial.
• Agro-waste valorization offers a promising avenue for green chemistry applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To bioengineer nano-scaled 2-D hydronium jarosite using a sustainable phyto-engineering approach.
• To characterize the morphological, optical, electrochemical, and magnetic properties of the synthesized nanomaterial.
• To investigate the interaction of avocado seed extract's phytoactive compounds with the hydronium jarosite surface.

Main Methods:

• Molecular dynamics computational modelling informed bioengineering.
• Green nano-chemistry synthesis utilizing avocado seed natural extract (agro-waste).
• Reduction of iron (II) sulphate heptahydrate to form nanoscale hydronium jarosite.
• Multi-technique characterization: XRD, HRTEM, radial distribution function, electrostatic potential maps, magnetic studies.

Main Results:

• Synthesized a quasi-2D crystalline rhombohedral hydronium jarosite nanomaterial.
• Nanosheets were decorated with approximately 5.4 nm nanoparticles, exhibiting significant electrochemical and electroconductive behaviors.
• Phytoactive compounds like flavone showed high affinity for the nanoparticle surface, while vanillic acid exhibited higher wetting tendency.
• The nanomaterial displayed diamagnetic behavior.

Conclusions:

• Avocado seed extract is an effective green precursor for synthesizing nanoscale hydronium jarosite.
• The synthesized nanomaterial possesses desirable electrochemical and conductive properties for potential applications.
• Understanding phytoactive compound interactions provides insights for tailored nanomaterial design.