Biosynthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles using red seaweed: Detailed characterization
Paper Details
Biosynthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles using red seaweed: Detailed characterization
Abstract
This research presents the green synthesis of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles (NPs) using red seaweed extract and their comprehensive characterization through various analytical techniques. The synthesis process yielded spherical and crystalline TiO₂ NPs with sizes ranging from 93.20 to 110.5 nm. Characterization was performed using SEM, TEM, FTIR, XRD, DLS, and AFM analyses. SEM and TEM revealed highly crystalline structures with well-defined lattice fringes, confirming their suitability for photocatalytic applications. FTIR analysis indicated the presence of organic residues and the successful formation of TiO₂. XRD analysis identified prominent peaks corresponding to anatase and rutile phases, with minor indications of brookite phase or impurities. DLS measurements showed a Z-average diameter of 114 nm with a moderately broad size distribution (PDI of 0.34). AFM analysis highlighted the moderately rough surface and high surface area, enhancing photocatalytic efficiency. This study underscores the potential of red seaweed extract-mediated synthesis as a green, sustainable method for producing TiO₂ NPs with promising photocatalytic properties, suggesting further optimization for enhanced applications in environmental remediation and antimicrobial treatments.
Adhikary K, Mandal T, Majumder J, Kumar Chowdhuri T, Singh N. 2023. Green synthesis and characterization of TiO₂ nanoparticles by using ornamental grass Cynodon dactylon (Doob grass). European Chemical Bulletin 12(5), 1713-1723.
Ahmad S, Ahmad S, Ali S, Esa M, Khan A, Yan H. 2024. Recent advancements and unexplored biomedical applications of green synthesized Ag and Au nanoparticles: A review. International Journal of Nanomedicine 19, 3187–3215. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S453775.
Ahmad W, Jaiswal KK, Soni S. 2020. Green synthesis of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles by using Mentha arvensis leaves extract and its antimicrobial properties. Inorganic and Nano-Metal Chemistry 50, 1032–1038. https://doi.org/10.1080/24701556.2020.1732419.
Ahn EY, Shin SW, Kim K, Park Y. 2022. Facile green synthesis of titanium dioxide nanoparticles by upcycling Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) pericarp extract. Nanoscale Research Letters 17. https://doi.org/10.1186/s11671-022-03678-4.
Alizadeh Sani M, Ehsani A, Hashemi M. 2017. Whey protein isolate/cellulose nanofibre/TiO₂ nanoparticle/rosemary essential oil nanocomposite film: Its effect on microbial and sensory quality of lamb meat and growth of common foodborne pathogenic bacteria during refrigeration. International Journal of Food Microbiology 251, 8–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2017.03.018.
Alizadeh-Sani M, Khezerlou A, Ehsani A. 2018. Fabrication and characterization of the bionanocomposite film based on whey protein biopolymer loaded with TiO₂ nanoparticles, cellulose nanofibers and rosemary essential oil. Industrial Crops and Products 124, 300–315. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2018.08.001.
Alprol AE, Heneash AMM, Ashour M, Abualnaja KM, Alhashmialameer D, Mansour AT, Sharawy ZZ, Abu-Saied MA, Abomohra AEF. 2021. Potential applications of Arthrospira platensis lipid-free biomass in bioremediation of organic dye from industrial textile effluents and its influence on marine rotifer (Brachionus plicatilis). Materials 14, 4446. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14164446.
Amano F, Nogami K, Tanaka M, Ohtani B. 2010. Correlation between surface area and photocatalytic activity for acetaldehyde decomposition over bismuth tungstate particles with a hierarchical structure. Langmuir 26, 7174–7180. https://doi.org/10.1021/la904274c.
Aravind M, Amalanathan M, Mary MSM. 2021. Synthesis of TiO₂ nanoparticles by chemical and green synthesis methods and their multifaceted properties. SN Applied Sciences 3. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-021-04281-5.
Asakawa H, Holmström E, Foster AS, Kamimura S, Ohno T, Fukuma T. 2018. Direct imaging of atomic-scale surface structures of brookite TiO₂ nanoparticles by frequency modulation atomic force microscopy in liquid. Journal of Physical Chemistry C 122, 24085–24093. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcc.8b06262.
Ashour M, Alprol AE, Heneash AMM, Saleh H, Abualnaja KM, Alhashmialameer D, Mansour AT. 2021a. Ammonia bioremediation from aquaculture wastewater effluents using Arthrospira platensis niof17/003: Impact of biodiesel residue and potential of ammonia-loaded biomass as rotifer feed. Materials 14, 5460. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14185460.
Ashour M, Mabrouk MM, Abo-Taleb HA, Sharawy ZZ, Ayoub HF, Van Doan H, Davies SJ, El-Haroun E, Goda AMSA. 2021b. A liquid seaweed extract (TAM®) improves aqueous rearing environment, diversity of zooplankton community, whilst enhancing growth and immune response of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, challenged by Aeromonas hydrophila. Aquaculture 543, 736915. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2021.736915.
Azizi-Lalabadi M, Ehsani A, Divband B, Alizadeh-Sani M. 2019. Antimicrobial activity of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles supported in 4A zeolite and evaluation of morphological characteristics. Scientific Reports 9, 17439. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-54025-0.
Bekele ET, Gonfa BA, Zelekew OA, Belay HH, Sabir FK. 2020. Synthesis of titanium oxide nanoparticles using root extract of Kniphofia foliosa as a template, characterization, and its application on drug-resistant bacteria. Journal of Nanomaterials 2020. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/2817037.
Bonetta S, Bonetta S, Motta F, Strini A, Carraro E. 2013. Photocatalytic bacterial inactivation by TiO₂-coated surfaces. AMB Express 3, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1186/2191-0855-3-59.
Farrugia C, Di Mauro A, Lia F, Zammit E, Rizzo A, Privitera V, Impellizzeri G, Buccheri MA, Rappazzo G, Grech M, Refalo P, Abela S. 2021. Suitability of different titanium dioxide nanotube morphologies for photocatalytic water treatment. Nanomaterials 11, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11030708.
Huq MA. 2020. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Pseudoduganella eburnea MAHUQ-39 and their antimicrobial mechanisms investigation against drug-resistant human pathogens. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 21, 1510. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21041510.
Jelovica Badovinac I, Peter R, Omerzu A, Salamon K, Šarić I, Samaržija A, Perčić M, Kavre Piltaver I, Ambrožić G, Petravić M. 2020. Grain size effect on photocatalytic activity of TiO₂ thin films grown by atomic layer deposition. Thin Solid Films 709.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsf.2020.138215.
Kaneko M, Nemoto J, Ueno H, Gokan N, Ohnuki K, Horikawa M, Saito R, Shibata T. 2006. Photoelectrochemical reaction of biomass and bio-related compounds with nanoporous TiO₂ film photoanode and O₂-reducing cathode. Electrochemistry Communications 8, 336–340. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.elecom.2005.12.004.
Keat CL, Aziz A, Eid AM, Elmarzugi NA. 2015. Biosynthesis of nanoparticles and silver nanoparticles. Bioresources and Bioprocessing 2, 47. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40643-015-0076-2.
Khalaf MA. 2008. Biosorption of reactive dye from textile wastewater by non-viable biomass of Aspergillus niger and Spirogyra sp. Bioresource Technology 99, 6631–6634. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2007.12.010.
Khan I, Saeed K, Khan I. 2019. Nanoparticles: Properties, applications and toxicities. Arabian Journal of Chemistry 12(7), 908-931. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arabjc.2017.05.011.
Kumar BR, Rao TS. 2012. AFM studies on surface morphology, topography, and texture of nanostructured zinc aluminum oxide thin films. Digest Journal of Nanomaterials and Biostructures 7(4), 1881-1889.
León A, Reuquen P, Garín C, Segura R, Vargas P, Zapata P, Orihuela PA. 2017. FTIR and Raman characterization of TiO₂ nanoparticles coated with polyethylene glycol as a carrier for 2-methoxyestradiol. Applied Sciences 7, 49. https://doi.org/10.3390/app7010049.
Makarov VV, Love AJ, Sinitsyna OV, Makarova SS, Yaminsky IV, Taliansky ME, Kalinina NO. 2014. “Green” nanotechnologies: Synthesis of metal nanoparticles using plants. Reviews 6(20), 14.
Manikandan K, Ahamed AJ, Brahmanandhan GM. 2017. Synthesis, structural and optical characterization of TiO₂ nanoparticles and its assessment to cytotoxicity activity. Journal of Environmental Nanotechnology 6, 94–102. https://doi.org/10.13074/jent.2017.09.173273.
Mansour AT, Alprol AE, Khedawy M, Abualnaja KM, Shalaby TA, Rayan G, Ramadan KMA, Ashour M. 2022. Green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using red seaweed for the elimination of organic toxic dye from an aqueous solution. Materials 15, 5169. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15155169.
Matouke MM. 2019. FTIR study of the binary effect of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nTiO₂) and copper (Cu²⁺) on the biochemical constituents of liver tissues of catfish (Clarias gariepinus). Toxicology Reports 6, 1061–1070. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxrep.2019.10.002.
Mugundan S, Rajamannan B, Viruthagiri G, Shanmugam N, Gobi R, Praveen P. 2015. Synthesis and characterization of undoped and cobalt-doped TiO₂ nanoparticles via sol–gel technique. Applied Nanoscience 5, 449–456. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13204-014-0337-y.
Muniandy SS, Mohd Kaus NH, Jiang ZT, Altarawneh M, Lee HL. 2017. Green synthesis of mesoporous anatase TiO₂ nanoparticles and their photocatalytic activities. RSC Advances 7, 48083–48094. https://doi.org/10.1039/c7ra08187a.
Nguyen TMH, Bark CW. 2020. Synthesis of cobalt-doped TiO₂ based on metal-organic frameworks as an effective electron transport material in perovskite solar cells. ACS Omega 5, 2280–2286. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.9b03507.
Panda J, Singh UP, Sahu R. 2018. Synthesis, characterization of TiO₂ nanoparticles for enhancement of electron transport application in DSSC with Cu-BPCA dye. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering 410, 012008. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/410/1/012008.
Pellegrino F, Sordello F, Minella M, Minero C, Maurino V. 2019. The role of surface texture on the photocatalytic H₂ production on TiO₂. Catalysts 9, 32. https://doi.org/10.3390/catal9010032.
Petrochenko PE, Kumar G, Fu W, Zhang Q, Zheng J, Liang C, Goering PL, Narayan RJ. 2015. Nanoporous aluminum oxide membranes coated with atomic layer deposition-grown titanium dioxide for biomedical applications: An in vitro evaluation. Journal of Biomedical Nanotechnology 11, 2275–2285. https://doi.org/10.1166/jbn.2015.2169.
Saif S, Tahir A, Chen Y. 2016. Green synthesis of iron nanoparticles and their environmental applications and implications. Nanomaterials 6, 209. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano6110209.
Santos-Aguilar P, Bernal-Ramírez J, Vázquez-Garza E, Vélez-Escamilla LY, Lozano O, García-Rivas GDJ, Contreras-Torres FF. 2023. Synthesis and characterization of rutile TiO₂ nanoparticles for the toxicological effect on the H9c2 cell line from rats. ACS Omega 8, 19024–19036. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.3c01771.
Sharma A, Karn RK, Pandiyan SK. 2014. Synthesis of TiO₂ nanoparticles by sol-gel method and their characterization. Journal of Basic and Applied Engineering Research 1(9), 1–5.
Subhapriya S, Gomathipriya P. 2018. Green synthesis of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles by Trigonella foenum-graecum extract and its antimicrobial properties. Microbial Pathogenesis 116, 215–220. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micpath.2018.01.027.
Tran QH, Nguyen VQ, Le AT. 2018. Corrigendum: Silver nanoparticles: Synthesis, properties, toxicology, applications and perspectives (Adv. Nat. Sci: Nanosci. Nanotechnol. 4 033001). Advances in Natural Sciences: Nanoscience and Nanotechnology 9, 049501. https://doi.org/10.1088/2043-6254/aad12b.
Younis AB, Milosavljevic V, Fialova T, Smerkova K, Michalkova H, Svec P, Antal P, Kopel P, Adam V, Zurek L, Dolezelikova K. 2023. Synthesis and characterization of TiO₂ nanoparticles combined with geraniol and their synergistic antibacterial activity. BMC Microbiology 23, 207. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12866-023-02955-1.
Swapnil B. Patil, D. B. Nakade, 2025. Biosynthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles using red seaweed: Detailed characterization. Int. J. Biosci., 26(3), 36-45.
Copyright © 2025 by the Authors. This article is an open access article and distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) license.