Green synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles using lemon peel extract: their optical and photocatalytic properties

Lemon is an essential therapeutic plant of the Rutaceae family having a variety of vital phytochemicals. The TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) have been synthesised by the green synthesis method from lemon peel extract for the first time. Hydrolysed extract of lemon peel contains hesperidin flavanol that releases aglycone to act as a capping and reducing agent. The Synthesised samples are characterised through X-rays diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), energy dispersive X-rays spectroscopy (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and ultraviolet and visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy techniques. The SEM results depict that the prepared specimen is purely comprised of the agglomerated structures. A close study from TEM exhibits the spherical shape of the particles with the particle size ranges from 80 to 140 nm and anatase form according to the XRD. The Tauc plot prepared from the UV-Vis spectrum shows a bandgap of 3.08 eV. Photocatalytic response of the prepared TiO2 for the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) is also studied. The results showed that synthesised particles possess more than 70% photocatalytic activity which is more efficient as compared to commercial TiO2 particles.