Valorizing Kitchen Waste into Potent Nano-Remediators: A Green Synthesis of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles using Punica granatum for Efficient Industrial Dye Decolouration

In the quest for sustainable nanomaterials and eco-friendly wastewater treatment technologies, this study presents a green synthesis of iron oxide (Fe₂O₃) nanoparticles utilizing commonly discarded kitchen waste—pomegranate peels (Punica granatum). The synthesized nanoparticles were extensively characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, XRD, FTIR, SEM and TEM, confirming the presence of crystalline α-Fe₂O₃ phase by pomegranate peel while no distinctive peak suggesting amorphous nature of Fe₂O₃. Their catalytic performance was assessed in the decolouration of six industrially significant dyes- Methylene blue, Acid orange 7, Basic Dyes Malachite, Direct red 12B, Disperse yellow 3 and Reactive Black 5. Punica granatum mediated Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles showed significant dye removal efficiency. Notably, ~90% decolouration of all the dyes was achieved within 90 minutes by derived Fe₂O₃. The analysis highlighted that Punica granatum peel extract is the superior biogenic source, making the resulting Fe₂O₃ NPs highly effective candidates for treating diverse industrial dyes in polluted water streams. The study contributes to circular economy strategies and promotes green chemistry in nanotechnology and environmental remediation.