Microwave-assisted synthesis of magnesium oxide nanoflakes via green chemistry approach using Ficus Racemosa leaf extract: characterization and antibacterial activity

Global development of nanostructured bioceramics with enhanced functionalities has provided an insight into orthopedic, dental, and other biomedical applications. The present work reports a cost-effective and eco-friendly method for the green synthesis of magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoflakes (NFs) using Ficus Racemosa leaf extract. The NFs were subjected to different characterization techniques like X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible, and photoluminescence spectroscopy to detect their structural, physical, chemical, and elemental characteristics. The powder X-ray diffraction of MgO NFs revealed the single phase with an average crystallite size of 24 nm. The Williamson-Hall plot also confirmed the crystallite size as 28 nm, nearly the same as obtained through Debye-Scherrer (24 nm) formula. Field emission scanning electron microscopy revealed the flake-like structure with an average thickness of 3 nm, and the average length was depicted as 280 nm. The ultraviolet-visible absorption spectra of MgO NFs showed a maximum wavelength of around 275 nm, and photoluminescence spectroscopy was used to observe the fluorescent properties. The antibacterial activity of MgO NFs against both S. aureus and E. coli bacteria demonstrated a significant reaction, making it a promising agent for several biomedical applications. [GRAPHICS] .