Utilization of Ulva rigida for Fabrication of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles and Its Physicochemical Characterization

Ulva species is consumed macroalgae, and it has rich polysaccharides. Nanoparticles play an important role in medicine, agriculture, and environment. Extracts from bacteria, algae, and plants can be used for synthesis of nanoparticles fields. The study determines the biogenic synthesis and characterization of iron oxide nanoparticles by U. rigida extract. The size, nature, stability, and composition of green synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles were characterized using UV-Vis, XRD, FTIR, FESEM, EDX, and TGA analysis. UV-Vis and FTIR analysis were performed to determine the surface plasmon resonance and occurrence of functional groups in the U. rigida-mediated iron oxide nanoparticles. FTIR spectra proved the formation of metal oxide functional groups. U. rigida-mediated iron oxide nanoparticles were spherical in shape with the average size of 50–60 nm and confirmed by FESEM analysis. Crystalline nature of U. rigida-mediated iron oxide nanoparticles was synthesized. A weight loss of 30.1% U. rigida-mediated iron oxide nanoparticles was observed in TGA analysis and confirms its high thermal stability. The study reveals that U. rigida extract can be used for stabilizing agents for fabrication of iron oxide nanoparticles. The synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles may be used in wastewater treatment and drug delivery system.