Biosynthesis of MgAl2O4 nanoparticles and their use as photocatalyst for sunlight-driven degradation of Amido-Black

• Published in: Solid state communications Vol. 404; p. 116044
• Main Authors: Ben Ameur, Wiem, Chouchene, Bilel, Schneider, Raphaël, Hajjaji, Anouar, Zouaoui, Mouldi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2025; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biosynthesis; Black amido; Chemical Sciences; Environmental Sciences; MgAl2O4 nanoparticles; Photocatalysis; MgAl2O4 nanoparticles; Biosynthesis; Black amido; Photocatalysis; MgAl2O4
• ISSN: 0038-1098
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ssc.2025.116044

Magnesium aluminate MgAl2O4, known as spinel, has been the subject of intense research due to its excellent thermal, optical, and dielectric characteristics. In this work, a green synthesis process that is eco-friendly, easy, and of low cost is used to prepare MgAl2O4 nanoparticles. The structural, morphological, and optical properties of the MgAl2O4 spinel were studied by different techniques, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area analyzer (BET), UV–visible spectroscopy, and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The XRD patterns indicate the formation of the MgAl2O4 cubic phase, and the average size of nanoparticles is around 17 nm. TEM images confirmed the pure phase and the nanosize of the particles. The UV–vis absorption spectrum of the MgAl2O4 spinel showed an absorption peak at around 230 nm, and the optical band gap energy was found to be 3.92 eV. Surface analysis was conducted using BET isotherms, demonstrating a specific surface area of 58 m2 g−1 and a 5–10 nm pore size. The dielectric properties of MgAl2O4 spinel were studied using the complex impedance spectroscopy technique over a frequency range from 1 Hz to 13 MHz and a temperature range from 648 to 873 K. The temperature and frequency dependence of the material properties was demonstrated, and the activation energy was also calculated. The photocatalytic activity of MgAl2O4 was investigated for the degradation of the Amido Black 10B dye under sunlight irradiation. The dye was effectively decomposed by ca. 98 % under solar light irradiation within ca. 5 h, with pseudo-first-order rate constants of 7.99 10−3 min−1. •Nano-MgAl2O4 was elaborated by the ecologically Bio-synthesizes technique.•Dye-sensitized NPs extend photocatalysis activity towards sunlight.•Excellent photocatalytic activity in degrading the azo dye Amido Black.