Green synthesis of biosurfactant-assisted iron oxide nanoparticles for micropollutant crystal violet dye degradation

Textile industry, is a major consumer of water and a producer of heavily contaminated wastewater, presenting considerable environmental challenges. Conventional wastewater treatment methods often prove inadequate, prompting the need for more sustainable and cost-effective alternatives. Present study investigates the use of iron oxide biogenic nanoparticles (IONPs), prepared from biosurfactants derived with Sapindus mukorossi ( S.mukorossi ) by solution combustion method, for the decolorization of micropollutant crystal violet (CV). S.mukorossi (soapnut or reetha) known as natural surfactant is cultivated majorly in tropical regions of Asia, is a rich source of surface-active agent saponin. The research assesses the efficiency of synthesized photocatalytic IONPs in removing the CV dye by analyzing factors such as contact time (5–120 min), IONP dosage (1–10 g/L) and CV concentration (10–250 mg/L) at different temperatures (303 -323K). Present study has demonstrated endothermic nature of CV treatment process with IONPs following second order kinetics. The biogenic IONPs structural and functional properties for CV dye removal were further explored using XRD, FTIR, SEM and BET analysis, emphasizing their potential as sustainable and efficient replacements to traditional wastewater treatment methods.