Facile green synthesis of Bi2S3 nanoparticles: Applications in simultaneous dye degradation and seed germination of fenugreek seeds

In this work, Bi2S3 nanoparticles (NPs) have been synthesized by the green combustion method at 500 °C for 10 min using C.argentae. The structure, optical, and morphological studies of the synthesized material were analysed using PXRD, FTIR, UV, PL, and SEM spectroscopy techniques. The PXRD pattern of the material demonstrates that the obtained particles are of bismuth sulphide with an orthorhombic structure. The FTIR spectrum of it shows a characteristic peak at 606.8 cm−1. In the UV–visible spectrum, on extrapolating the linear portion of the curve, the band gap on the X-axis is found to be 3.17 eV. PL intensity peaks show excitation and emission ranges of 384 nm and 532 nm respectively. SEM studies of the material show that the nanoparticles are in granular shape. Further, by using synthesized nanomaterials, photocatalytic degradation is carried out for methylene blue dye with different variations, and scavenger activity is carried out using K2Cr2O7, EDTA, ascorbic acid, and TBA. Seed germination activity is also carried out for fenugreek seeds with synthesized material and dye, with dye, and with a mixture of dye and nanoparticles, along with the simultaneous study of dye degradation. [Display omitted] •Bi2S3 nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by facile green combustion method using Celosia argentea flower powder as green fuel.•Bi2S3 NPs used as photocatalyst for efficient degradation of hazardous organic dyes under visible light.•Seed germination studies carried out using Bi2S3 NPs and methylene blue dye on fenugreek seeds.•A study was carried out on degradation of dyes from fenugreek seeds simultaneously.