Biosynthesis of molybdenum oxide nanoparticles using henna powder extract

Henna has been applied in cosmetics and medicine for a long time in many divisions of the Earth. The main active compound in henna leaves is lawsone (2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, C10H6O3), also known as hennotannic acid, a reddish-orange dye responsible for its color. Besides lawsone, other constituents present in henna leaves are gallic acid, glucose, mannitol, fats, resin, mucilage and traces of alkaloids. The use of plant extract is generating interest of researchers toward cost effective, non-toxic and eco-friendly green synthesis of nanoparticles. In the present work, molybdenum oxide (MoO3) nanoparticles were synthesized using henna powder extract as a mild and non-toxic reducing agent and efficient stabilizer without adding any surfactants by the green method. The synthesized molybdenum oxide nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-visible spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The powder (XRD) analysis revealed the formation orthorhombic phase of MoO3 with average crystallite size of 56 nm. There is good agreement between data produced by X-ray diffraction and the microscopic measurements.