Synthesis of Fe3O4 Nanoparticles from Pumpkin Peel Extract and Their Application in Microwave Absorption

The green synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) using plant extracts is viewed as a cost-effective, eco-friendly, and reliable alternative to traditional chemical and physical methods of NPs production. The current study focuses on the green synthesis of Magnetite (Fe3O4) NPs using vegetable peel extracts of Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata). The peel extract is a reducing, capping, and stabilizing agent. After that, these NPs individually have been utilized for thin film deposition on the glass substrate. The synthesized NPs and thin films were characterized through various characterization techniques. UV-Visible spectroscopy confirmed the formation of Fe3O4 NPs. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed the spherical shape of the NPs within average diameters. X-ray diffraction (XRD) further confirmed the purity and degree of crystallinity of the NPs, through the corresponding planes that matched the standard of Fe3O4 patterns. Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis was employed to determine the chemical composition of the NPs and the thin films correspondingly. This study highlights the potential application of Fe3O4 thin films as a promising candidate in microwave absorption applications, particularly for coating the gate of the microwave oven. This study not only shows the importance of green nanotechnology but also opens avenues for the utilization of sustainable resources in the development of materials with high-performance in absorbing undesirable waves, such as microwaves.