Biomimetic facile synthesis of cerium oxide nanoparticles for enhanced degradation of textile wastewater and phytotoxicity evaluation

Biosynthesis of nanoparticles is regarded as a promising and efficient alternative to physical and chemical methods for nanoparticle preparation due to significant advantages such as safety, eco-friendliness, up-scalability, cost-effectiveness, simplicity, and conformity to bioethics principles. In the study, Clerodendrum phlomidis methanol extract was used for the biosynthesis of CeO2 nanoparticles. HRTEM, XRD, FTIR, Raman, XRF, DSC analysis, and UV–Visible spectroscopy were used to further characterize the biosynthesized CeO2 nanoparticles. The biosynthesized CeO2 nanoparticles photocatalyst revealed 82%, 59%, and 80% degradation efficiencies for crystal violet, rhodamine B, and textile water respectively, while exposed to visible light. The reduced photoexcited charge carrier's recombination rate is primarily responsible for the increased photocatalytic activity. According to the findings of an investigation, the treated effluents do not have any phytotoxic effects on the Xerosicyos danguyi plant. Furthermore, the photocatalyst's reusability and stability were proved after three successive cycles of photocatalytic studies.