Synthesis and Characterization of Magnesium Doped Ferric Sulphate Nanoparticles (Mg-Fe2SO3 NPs) for Agriculture Applications

Abstract

The present study aimed to synthesize the magnesium doped ferric sulphate nanoparticles (Mg-Fe2SO3 NPs) and investigate their seed germination efficacy. Mg-Fe2SO3 NPs were prepared by a simple and cost-effective method and subjected to characterization. The X-ray Diffraction (XRD) spectrum revealed the crystalline nature of Mg-Fe2SO3 NPs with an average crystallite size of 36.41 nm. The field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) image displayed the agglomeration of Mg-Fe2SO3 NPs with the shape of the grains appeared like starfish which has limbs grown from a common cluster. The energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) demonstrated the existence of C (10.5%), O (49.14%), Fe (26.67%), Mg (0.78%) and S (13.35%) elements in Mg-Fe2SO3 NPs. It also revealed the absence of impurities in the synthesized NPs. Through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Mg-Fe2SO3 NPs showed the characteristic peaks at 615.29cm-1, 1130.29cm-1, 1400.32 cm-1and 1633.71cm-1 which corresponded to Fe-O, C-N, O-H and N-H vibration respectively. Further, the seed germination study revealed that the Mg-Fe2SO3 NPs treatment caused a significant increase in seedling growth of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) seeds compared to the untreated samples.