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Published on: January 17, 2017
Phytochemical-Mediated Structural and Defect Engineering of TiO2 Nanoparticles for Light-Activated Photocatalysis
Adriana S Silva1, Ediones M Sousa2, Renan M Monção2
1Postgraduate Program in Materials, Technology Center (CTEC), Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Alagoas 57072-970, Brazil.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|June 5, 2026
Summary
Green synthesis of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles using plant extracts offers a sustainable method for creating light-responsive materials. Phytochemicals control nanoparticle properties, enhancing photocatalytic activity for applications like pollutant degradation.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Green Chemistry
Background:
- Developing sustainable methods for nanomaterial synthesis is crucial.
- Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles are versatile but require eco-friendly production routes.
- Plant-derived compounds offer potential for controlling nanomaterial properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To achieve phytochemical-driven green synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles.
- To investigate how plant extracts influence TiO2 nanoparticle characteristics.
- To establish a sustainable method for engineering light-responsive TiO2 nanomaterials.
Main Methods:
- Green synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles using aqueous extracts of Stryphnodendron adstringens and Origanum vulgare.
- Characterization using FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, XRD, and Williamson-Hall analysis.
- Evaluation of photocatalytic activity via methylene blue degradation and microbiological assays.
Main Results:
- TiO2 nanoparticles with anatase phase, spherical morphology, and 40-60 nm crystallite size were synthesized.
- Plant extracts modulated nanoparticle nucleation, crystallinity, and defect density.
- TiO2 synthesized with S. adstringens showed 53% methylene blue degradation, indicating enhanced photocatalytic activity.
- No antimicrobial activity was observed in the absence of light, confirming light-triggered functionality.
Conclusions:
- Medicinal plant phytochemistry can control structure, defects, and stimulus-responsive functionality in green-synthesized TiO2.
- Phytochemical-oxide interactions are key to enhancing charge separation and reactive oxygen species generation.
- This study presents a sustainable approach for engineering functional nanomaterials.
