ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Star Anise Fruit Extract Mediated Synthesis of CoFe₂O₄ and GO-CoFe₂O₄ and Their Comparative Study on Adsorptive Dye Removal Performance

Abhijeet K. Lad, Chaitali S. Pattankude, Prashant P. Chikode, Gurunath H. Nikam, and Suvarta D. Kharade

Department of Chemistry, Vivekanand College, Kolhapur (Empowered Autonomous), Kolhapur, India

E-mail: sgurunath.nikam@gmail.com

Received: 30 April 2025  Accepted: 23 August 2025

Abstract:

An eco-friendly approach was employed to develop cobalt ferrite (CoFe₂O₄) nanoparticles (CF MNPs) and graphene oxide (GO) based CoFe₂O₄ magnetic nanocomposites (GO-CF MNCs) using star anise fruit extract (SAFE) as a natural reducing and stabilizing agent. GO was synthesized via an improved Hummer’s method, while CF MNPs and GO-CF MNCs were prepared through a green co-precipitation route. The active involvement of SAFE in nanoparticle formation was confirmed through Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, which showed a significant reduction in the intensity of phytochemical functional groups alongside the appearance of new characteristic bands confirming the formation of CF MNPs and GO-CF MNCs. Structural and morphological analyses was done using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, Dynamic light scattering (DLS), and UV–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy. The comparative adsorption performance of CF MNPs and GO-CF MNCs for the methylene blue (MB) dye was investigated, with an emphasis on pH, contact time, and surface charge interactions. The point of zero charge (pH@PZC) for GO-CF MNCs was determined, supporting the adsorption mechanism. Time-dependent studies revealed that GO-CF MNCs achieved a significantly higher removal efficiency (97%) than CF MNPs (89%) within 180 min. These findings underscore the potential of GO-CF MNCs as highly efficient, magnetically recoverable, and sustainable adsorbents for wastewater treatment applications.

Keywords: Green synthesis; Ferrite; Dye removal; Co-precipitation; Magnetic Nanocomposite

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-025-04350-8

Chemical Papers 79 (12) 8781–8798 (2025)