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Stream/Area:
-
Subject:
-
Paper ID:
IJSREM66907
Volume:
10 |
8 |
Aug 2026
Pages:
1-7
Publication Frequency:
Monthly (12 issues per year)
License:International Journal of Scientific Research in Engineering and Management follows the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) License, allowing free use and distribution with proper attribution.
Department of Environmental Engineering
Government College of Technology, Coimbatore
Department of Environmental Engineering
Government College of Technology, Coimbatore
Nanotechnology has emerged as one of the most rapidly advancing fields of science due to its ability to manipulate materials at the nanoscale (1–100 nm), resulting in unique physicochemical properties that differ significantly from those of bulk materials. Among various nanomaterials, carbon-based nanoparticles have attracted considerable attention because of their excellent chemical stability, high surface area, tunable surface chemistry, electrical conductivity, and environmental compatibility, making them suitable for environmental remediation and wastewater treatment applications [1,2]. Recent studies have demonstrated that biomass-derived carbon nanomaterials can be synthesized from a wide range of renewable resources including fruit peels, agricultural residues, food wastes, and plant-derived biomass. Such approaches provide sustainable routes for nanomaterial production while simultaneously promoting waste valorization and reducing environmental burdens associated with disposal of agricultural wastes [3–6]. The physicochemical properties of carbon nanoparticles can be further improved through heteroatom doping. Among various dopants, nitrogen has received significant attention because it enhances surface defects, modifies electronic properties, increases active adsorption sites, and improves the overall performance of carbon nanomaterials in environmental applications [7–10]. Conventional nitrogen-doping methods frequently utilize synthetic chemicals such as urea, ethylenediamine, ammonia, and dimethylformamide, which may increase production costs and environmental concerns [11–13]. Natural nitrogen-rich biomass offers an environmentally friendly alternative for nitrogen doping. Garlic peel (Allium sativum) contains naturally occurring nitrogenous compounds that can serve as sustainable nitrogen sources. Similarly, aerial roots of Ficus benghalensis have been reported as promising carbon precursors for carbon nanoparticle synthesis, while lemon peel extract contains organic acids and bioactive compounds capable of facilitating carbonization and surface functionalization [14–17]. Methylene blue (MB) is a cationic dye extensively used in textile, pharmaceutical, printing, and paper industries. Large-scale discharge of dye-containing effluents into aquatic environments causes serious environmental concerns, including reduced light penetration, oxygen depletion, and toxicity to aquatic organisms. Due to its aromatic structure and high stability, methylene blue is resistant to conventional biological treatment processes and may persist in aquatic systems for extended periods [18–20]. Adsorption has emerged as one of the most efficient and economically viable methods for dye removal owing to its simplicity, effectiveness, and ease of operation. Carbon-based nanomaterials have demonstrated excellent adsorption capabilities due to their high surface area and abundance of functional groups capable of interacting with dye molecules through electrostatic attraction, hydrogen bonding, and π–π interactions [21–24]. Therefore, the present study aims to synthesize nitrogen-doped carbon nanoparticles through a green route using Ficus benghalensis aerial roots, garlic peel waste, and lemon peel extract. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using DLS, FTIR, SEM, XRD, and XRF analyses, and their suitability for methylene blue removal from aqueous solutions was investigated [25].
KEYWORDS
In the present study, nitrogen-doped carbon nanoparticles were successfully synthesized through a green and sustainable approach using Ficus benghalensis aerial roots, Allium sativum peel waste, and Citrus lemon peel extract. The synthesis method utilized readily available biomass resources and eliminated the need for hazardous chemical reagents, making the process environmentally friendly and cost-effective. Characterization studies confirmed the successful formation of nitrogen-doped carbon nanoparticles. DLS analysis revealed an average particle size of 122.0 nm, while FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of hydroxyl, carbonyl, and nitrogen-containing functional groups. SEM images showed aggregated nanostructures with rough surface morphology, providing potential adsorption sites for dye molecules. The synthesized FB-AS-CL nanoparticles demonstrated effective methylene blue removal from aqueous solutions. The highest removal efficiency of 96.8% was achieved at an initial dye concentration of 10 mg/L, while removal efficiency gradually decreased with increasing dye concentration due to the limited availability of adsorption sites. The results suggest that the synthesized nitrogen-doped carbon nanoparticles possess favorable physicochemical properties for dye removal applications. Overall, the study demonstrates that biomass-derived nitrogen-doped carbon nanoparticles can serve as promising and sustainable adsorbents for the removal of methylene blue from wastewater, offering a potential low-cost solution for environmental remediation.
[1] Ahmed, R., Manik, K.H., Islam, M.S., Rhine, A., Mim, J.J., & Hossain, N. (2026). Green synthesis methods for nanoparticles: Principles, biological routes, and physicochemical approaches toward sustainable nanotechnology. Next Materials, 11, 101929. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nxmate.2026.101929 [2] Almaghrabi, A.S., Bakhsh, E.M., Akhtar, K., Alghamdi, M.A., & Khan, S.B. (2025). Lemon peel based activated carbon and their composite with metal nanoparticles as efficient catalysts for the reduction of organic dyes and hydrogen production. Results in Chemistry, 15, 102277. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rechem.2025.102277 [3] Huang, Y.C., & Wu, J.Y. (2025). Low-energy consumption rapid synthesis of high-fluorescence nitrogen-doped carbon dots at room temperature using a combusted shrimp shell combined solution and application to catechins detection. Carbon Trends, 20, 100515. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cartre.2025.100515 [4] Melikoglu, M. (2026). Green synthesis of carbon quantum dots from waste materials: A global review. Next Materials, 11, 101937. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nxmate.2026.101937 [5] Yadav, A., Janu, V.C., Patidar, D., Sharma, P., Vasistha, P., & Kumar, S. (2025). Unveiling the potential: Recent developments in carbon nanomaterial synthesis from soot and its application for desalination. Next Nanotechnology, 8, 100253. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nxnano.2025.100253 [6] Rodríguez-Carballo, G., Moreno-Tost, R., Fernandes, S., Silva, J.C.G.E., Silva, L.P., Castro Galiano, E., & Algarra, M. (2023). Nitrogen doped carbon dots as a photocatalyst based on biomass: A life cycle assessment. Journal of Cleaner Production, 423, 138728. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.138728 [7] Kumar, M., Shrestha, B.B., Chinnathambi, S., Dutta, B., Sivaniah, E., & Pandian, G.N. (2025). Bio-inspired nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots: A green route for bioimaging and nano-biosensing. Industrial Crops and Products, 227, 120817. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2025.120817 [8] Maryam, Q., Hou, J., Qadeer, M.A., Butt, S., Hassan, F.M., Qasim, F.M., Idrees, F., Tanveer, M., Zou, J., & Tahir, M. (2019). Nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheets decorated with Mn₂O₃ nanoparticles for excellent oxygen reduction reaction. Frontiers in Chemistry, 7, 741. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fchem.2019.00741 [9] Kaittidanusorn, N., Nagata, T., Juthathan, M., Tabaru, K., Siengdung, N., Pienpinijtham, P., Tanaka, T., Suzuki, T., Tuntulani, T., Leeladee, P., & Obora, Y. (2024). Facile and size-controllable fabrication of copper nanoparticles on nitrogen-doped carbon dots using an N,N-dimethylformamide-based reduction approach. Results in Chemistry, 7, 101398. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rechem.2024.101398 [10] Renuga Devi, Navaneethan, Ravitchandiran, A., Ashok, S., Elayaperumal, M., Rajamohan, R., & Subramania, A. (2024). Green synthesis of luminescent carbon dots from Ficus benghalensis aerial roots for bioimaging. Journal of Fluorescence, 34, 5979–5989. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10895-024-03964-7
Publication Date
8/24/2026
Peer Review Type
Double-Blind Peer Review
Review Rounds: 2
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