Comparative green synthesis of carbon nanoparticles from Gomphrena globosa and Ixora coccinea using an eco-friendly biosoot method

Abstract
Carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) synthesized from plant-based biomass have gained significant
attention due to their eco-friendly nature and potential biomedical applications. The biosoot
technique, which uses carbon compounds derived from combustion rather than hazardous
chemical reagents, provides a sustainable approach to green synthesis. The physicochemical
properties of biosoot-derived CNPs are influenced by the nature of the biomass and associated
phytochemicals, which can regulate nanoparticle formation and stability. The present study
aimed to synthesize and compare carbon nanoparticles derived from the floral biomass of
Gomphrena globosa and I. coccinea using an eco-friendly biosoot method in a closed
environment. To produce biosoot, dried flower petals from Gomphrena globosa and I. coccinea
were subjected to controlled thermal carbonization in a closed system. Without using any
chemical reducing or stabilizing agents, the collected biosoot was treated to produce stable
aqueous dispersions of carbon nanoparticles. Particle size distribution and dispersion
characteristics were analyzed using DLS to evaluate nanoparticle size and uniformity. Particle
size analysis revealed that CNPs synthesized from Gomphrena globosa exhibited relatively
larger particle sizes with moderate polydispersity. In contrast, I. coccinea-derived CNPs
exhibited smaller average particle sizes in the nanoscale range, greater uniformity, and a lower
polydispersity index, indicating enhanced dispersion and stability. These findings suggest that
phytochemicals present in the floral biomass play a significant role in modulating nanoparticle
formation during biosoot-mediated synthesis. The greater size, uniformity, and stability
observed in I. coccinea-derived CNPs highlight the influence of plant-specific components on
nanoparticle characteristics. Further investigations are ongoing to explore the detailed
physicochemical properties and potential biomedical and cosmeceutical applications of the
synthesized carbon nanoparticles.
Keywords: Carbon nanoparticles, Biosoot method, Green synthesis, G. globosa, I. coccinea