Enhanced anion sensing by γ-irradiated polyphenol capped iron oxide nanoparticles

A novel method was designed for the synthesis of polyphenol capped amorphous iron oxide nanoparticles (ION) using an agro waste (peanut skin). The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by absorption spectroscopy, TEM, SEM, IR, Raman and XRD. An increased rate of formation of the nanoparticles is observed upon low dose gamma irradiation. ION shows specific spectral features with perchlorate anion even in presence of other anions selected for the anion sensing study. The nanoparticles formed in presence of irradiation was found even more sensitive to lower concentration of perchlorate owing to its finely dispersed nature and increased surface area.