Microstrain analyses of Fe 3 O 4 NPs greenly synthesized using Gardenia jasminoides flower extract, during the photocatalytic removal of a commercial dye

The Gardenia jasminoides flower extract ( Gjfe ) was employed to prevent agglomeration during the magnetite nanoparticles (Fe 3 O 4 NPs) synthesis. Different analytical techniques such as FTIR-ATR, Raman, SEM–EDS, XPS, XRD, and TEM, were used to characterize the synthesized nanoparticles. Also, microstrain analyses of Fe 3 O 4 NPs were carried out. The results of the characterization techniques indicated spherical and well dispersed Fe 3 O 4 NPs/ Gjfe , with a nanoparticle size (TEM) of about 4.5 nm. The XRD analysis resulted in good agreement with respect to JCPDS no. 89-4319. Fe 3 O 4 NPs/ Gjfe were employed in the photocatalytic degradation of a commercial fabric dye, without the addition of any extra reagents, or control of pH or temperature. The photocatalytic reaction, studied by UV–Vis spectroscopy, showed excellent results, achieving a dye removal of 100% in 60 min (0.20 mg/mL of commercial dye) using 50 mg of Fe 3 O 4 NPs/ Gjfe . The stability of the recycled Fe 3 O 4 NPs/ Gjfe was determined by the number of times that the synthesized nanoparticles can be re-used in the dye removal process, obtaining that after five cycles of use, they do not lose their photocatalytic activity.