Synthesis of Vanadium Oxide Nanoparticles for Efficient Photocatalysis

Among transition metal nanomaterials, vanadium oxide nanoparticles possess unique redox behaviour, multiple oxidation states, and desirable physicochemical characteristics, making them useful in various applications. Developing simple and eco-friendly synthesis methods for these nanoparticles is an important area of research to enhance their properties and practicalapplications.

In the present study, a comparative investigation was carried out on the synthesis of vanadium oxide nanoparticles using conventional chemical synthesis method and a green synthesis method. In the chemical synthesis, ammonium metavanadate was used as the precursor, ammonium hydroxide as the pH-adjusting agent, and ascorbic acid as the reducing and stabilizing agent. In green synthesis, Ocimum tenuiflorum (Tulasi) leaf extract was employed as a natural reducing and capping agent along with ammonium metavanadate and ascorbic acid for the synthesis of vanadium oxide nanoparticles. The synthesized nanoparticles were compared in terms of structural, and optical properties using characterization techniques such as XRD, FTIR, UV–Visible spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of the nanoparticles was evaluated through the degradation of methylene blue and crystal violet dye under visible light irradiation

Green synthesized nanoparticles prepared using Thulasi extract showed enhanced crystallinity, improved biocompatibility, and reduced particle agglomeration due to the presence of phytochemicals. The green synthesized nanoparticles degraded methylene blue (89 % degradation within 15 min) in presence of light and crystal violet (78 % degradation) even in dark condition. Overall, the study demonstrates that eco-friendly green synthesis is a sustainable and effective alternative to conventional chemical methods for producing vanadium oxide nanoparticles.