Enhanced larvicidal, antibacterial, and photocatalytic efficacy of TiO 2 nanohybrids green synthesized using the aqueous leaf extract of Parthenium hysterophorus

Abstract

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles are emerging as a biocompatible nanomaterial with multipurpose bioactivities. In this study, titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles were effectively synthesized using the aqueous leaf extracts of Parthenium hysterophorus prepared by microwave irradiation. TiO₂ nanoparticles were fabricated by treating the P. hysterophorus leaf extracts with the TiO₄ solution. Biologically active compounds such as alcohols, phenols, alkanes, and fluoroalkanes were involved in bioreduction of TiO₄ into TiO₂. The formation of green-engineered TiO₂ nanoparticles was confirmed by UV-vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy and further characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies. UV-vis spectroscopy analysis showed maximum absorbance at 420 nm due to surface plasmon resonance of synthesized TiO₂ NPs. FTIR spectrum of the engineered TiO₂ NPs showed the presence of bioactive compounds in the leaf extract, which acted as capping and reducing agents. FESEM exhibited an average size of 20–50 nm and a spherical shape of TiO₂ NPs. EDX analysis indicated the presence of TiO₂ NPs by observing the peaks of titanium ions. XRD results pointed out the crystalline nature of engineered TiO₂ NPs. The larvicidal activity of TiO₂ NPs was studied on fourth instar larvae of dengue, Zika virus, and filariasis mosquito vectors Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus. Antimicrobial efficacy of TiO₂ NPs was assessed on clinically isolated pathogens Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus vulgaris, and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Besides, we found that TiO₂ NPs are able to quickly degrade the industrially harmful pigments methylene blue, methyl orange, crystal violet, and alizarin red dyes under sunlight illumination. Overall, this novel, simple, and eco-friendly approach can be of interest for the control of vector-borne diseases, as well as to formulate new bactericidal agents and to efficiently degrade dye solutions in the polluted areas.

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