Biogenically produced Co3O4 nanoparticles and their application as micronutrient and antimicrobial agent for agro-environmental sustainability

Abstract

Present study reports an eco and environmental friendly biogenic synthetic protocol for generation of Co3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) using aqueous extract of leaves of Ipomoea carnea plant, which act as both reducing and capping agents. Thus produced Co3O4 material has been characterized by various techniques like UV–visible absorption spectrum, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscope (SEM) with Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX),Transmission electron microscope (TEM), (X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), particles size distribution analyses. The results revealed formation of well crystalline, mesoporous very small size (6–10 nm diameter), having very narrow size distribution nanoparticles. Phytotoxicity, antifungal and antibacterial activities, lipid test and protein test have been performed using Co3O4 NPs. Phytotoxicity results showed the 14.75 ± 0.57 and 9.11 ± 0.86, 7.65 ± 2.110 and 10.6 ± 1.813, and 6.35 ± 3.361 and 12.8 ± 1.720 roots and shoots length of respectively Vignaradiata, Pisumsativum and Cicerarietinum obseved using 20 ppm Co3O4 NPs. Antifungal activity was done against A. flavus CR500 while antibacterial activity was performed on Staphylococcus aureus and Shigella flexnerii using MHA media and inhibition zone was recorded till 17.8 mm and 16.7 mm respectively. 96% yield in catalytic oxidation of benzaldehyde into benzoic acid was found using Co3O4 NPs as catalyst. © 2023 Elsevier B.V.