Development of photoactive MgO nanoflakes using the sol–gel method for the removal of organic contaminants

Nanotechnology allows synthesizing photoactive materials which are magnificently proficient at photocatalytic remediation of organic pollutant dyes depending upon the bandgap of the synthesized nanomaterial. In the present study, MgO nanoflakes were fabricated via the sol–gel approach. The as-prepared MgO nanoflakes were characterized using various microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. The surface area and basicity were examined employing the BET adsorption-desorption isotherm and CO 2 -TPD methods. The thickness of MgO nanoflakes was calculated via SEM histogram, where the purity of the sample was confirmed using EDX elemental analysis. The well-characterized photoactive MgO nanoflakes further used photocatalytic remediation of organic dyes like methyl orange and Eriochrome Black T in the presence of sunlight. Moreover, the radical scavenging efficacy was also explored using DPPH and • OH assays. Graphical abstract In the present study, MgO nanoflakes were fabricated via the sol–gel approach. The as-prepared MgO nanoflakes were characterized using various microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. The surface area and basicity were examined employing the BET adsorption-desorption isotherm and CO 2 -TPD methods. The thickness of MgO nanoflakes was calculated via SEM histogram, where the purity of the sample was confirmed using EDX elemental analysis. The well-characterized photoactive MgO nanoflakes further used photocatalytic remediation of organic dyes like methyl orange and Eriochrome Black T in the presence of sunlight. Moreover, the radical scavenging efficacy was also explored using DPPH and • OH assays. Highlights Sol–gel synthesis of MgO nanoflakes using citric acid as a fuel. Synthesis of MgO nanoflakes was confirmed by XRD, FT-IR, SEM, EDX, HR-TEM, UV-DRS, and CO 2 -TPD analysis. MgO nanoflakes exhibited significant photocatalytic activity against EBT and MO dyes under sunlight. MgO nanoflakes showed radical scavenging activity using DPPH and • OH assay.