Abstract:
The research synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles by employing neem leaf extract and subsequently examined the properties of the synthesized nanoparticles using UV-visible spectrophotometer, SEM/EDX, and FTIR. The analysis found that the synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles exhibited UV-visible absorption peaks at 220 nm, indicating their photosensitivity. The SEM results for iron oxide nanoparticles reveal spherical particles with a rough, irregular surface, observed at magnifications of X27,000, 5500, and 10,000, with an average size of approximately 100 nm. The production of iron oxide nanoparticles was effectively carried out, and their effectiveness in removing heavy metal-contaminated soil was assessed. The synthesized nanoparticles were analyzed using FTIR to identify the various functional groups present. The existence of multiple functional groups such as OH, carboxylic, aromatic rings, methyl, alkyl halide, and aldehyde in iron oxide nanoparticles were detected by peaks seen at 3853.9 cm-1, 3344.68 cm-1, 2922.25 cm-1, 2850.88 cm-1, 2364.81 cm-1, 1627.97 cm-1, 1193.98 cm-1, and 825.56 cm-1.. The FTIR spectra exhibited absorption peaks that were indicative of O-H, C=C, and C-O bonds at wavenumbers of 3117.37 cm-1, 1459.24 cm-1, 1577 cm-1, and 1017.96 cm-1, respectively. Furthermore, iron oxide nanoparticles have demonstrated potential in remedying soil sprayed with lead and cadmium in site I-9 and Gujar Khan. Following a significant amount of nanoparticle exposure, the levels of lead and cadmium in the soil dropped. Nanoparticle treatment for one week on lead and cadmium in soil samples from location I-9 produced various the reduction capacities. The control samples showed reduction potential of 12.8% and 15.5% for lead and 21.7% and 23.9% for cadmium from both the soils. At 2% nanoparticle dosage, declines improved over 14 days. Iron Oxide nanoparticles at 5% were consistently effective, with noticeable increases after 14 days. The soil samples from Gujar Khan site 2 had 91.3% less Cd and 93.1% less Pb than the control samples after one week. The decrease lasted two weeks. Samples with 2% nanoparticles decreased Cd and Pb potentials by 92.3% and 93%, respectively. This study demonstrates iron oxide nanoparticles' practicality for soil pollution cleanup. The results indicated that Sector I-9 soil was more successful in removing cadmium than Gujar Khan. The success of lead removal varied between the two soils based on the treatment concentration.
