Recent development in the green synthesis of titanium dioxide nanoparticles using plant-based biomolecules for environmental and antimicrobial applications

Abstract

Nanoparticles (NPs) have properties for potential applications in different areas but their conventional production processes are often linked to secondary health and environmental impacts. Aggressive research endeavors are being undertaken to identify greener NPs synthesis strategies. Green synthesis is an evolving area with the objective of an efficient and environmental friendly development of NPs. Biological substances including bacteria, fungi, yeast, algae, and plant have been demonstrated to be applicable for the synthesis of TiO2 NPs. This work is dedicated to phyto-based biosynthesis of TiO2 NPs. Biomolecules in plants such as terpenoids, flavones, ketones, aldehydes, proteins, amino acids, vitamins, alkaloids, tannins, phenolics, saponins, and polysaccharides can play vital roles as a reducing, capping and stabilizing agent in the formation of TiO2 NPs. A systemic comparison is made with the focus on the bioreduction ability of different plant extracts to produce specific TiO2. Important results of applicable instrumentation techniques for characterizing the TiO2 NPs are also elucidated to identify the superior qualities of the NPs. Moreover, photocatalytic and antimicrobial applications of the phytosynthesized TiO2 NPs are also critically discussed. The main scopes are the current status of plant- assisted biosynthesis of TiO2 NPs and future prospects of this promising area of research.