Phytochemical-Assisted Synthesis of Manganese-Magnesium Binary Oxide Nanoparticles

This study reports the green synthesis and characterization of manganese-magnesium binary oxide nanoparticles (Mn–Mg NPs) using aqueous extracts of Ficus exasperata leaves, a phytochemically rich plant native to West Africa. The biosynthesis involved reacting manganese and magnesium acetate precursors with the plant extract under controlled pH and thermal conditions, followed by centrifugation, rinsing, drying, and calcination. Comprehensive characterization via FTIR, XRD, BET, SEM-EDS, and DLS confirmed successful nanoparticle formation. FTIR revealed phytochemical-mediated functional groups, while XRD indicated crystalline structures. BET analysis showed a high surface area of 281.992 m²/g, suggesting strong adsorption potential. SEM and EDS confirmed nanoscale morphology and elemental composition, and DLS analysis revealed uniform particle size (92.65 nm) with low polydispersity (PDI = 0.208). The results demonstrate that Ficus exasperata extract is an effective green route for synthesizing Mn–Mg NPs with desirable properties for environmental applications.