• Energy Research

Abstract The present work deals with the green solar assisted synthesis of chalcone (3-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-prop-2-en-1-one). To check the efficacy of the process, chalcone has been synthesized by photochemical (UV radiation), thermal method (60 °C) and the conventional method. The effect of catalyst concentration and temperature on the yield of the product has been studied. The synthesized chalcone derivative was characterised using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy, Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LCMS) elemental analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and thermal analysis (TG/DTA). The time required for the completion of the reaction using solar assisted method and conventional method were 10 min and 240 min (4 h), respectively. The crystallinity of material produced using concentrated solar radiation (CSR) was 14.16% higher than the conventional method. The amount of energy required to produce chalcone using CSR is 90.37% less energy than the conventional method. CSR was found to be green, simple and energy efficient novel idea for the synthesis of chalcone.

Abstract A novel approach for the synthesis of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles using concentrated solar radiation (CSR) is being reported first time. Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles were prepared by photochemical oxidation of Fe (II) using a renewable source of energy which is a greener aspect of this method. The average particle shape and size of the nanoparticles was determined with the help of Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) which were found to be spherical with an average size of 8.81 (±3) nm. The new greener methodology with the single precursor has been developed for the synthesis of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4). This technique is relatively pollution free, environmentally benign and is a green approach for the nanomaterials synthesis.