Biosynthesized delta-Bi2O3 Nanoparticles from Crinum viviparum Flower Extract for Photocatalytic Dye Degradation and Molecular Docking

Bioinspired delta-bismuth oxide nanoparticles (delta-Bi2O3 NPs) have been synthesized using a greener reducing agent and surfactant via co-precipitation method. The originality of this work is the use of Crinum viviparum flower extract for the first time for the fabrication of NPs, which were further calcined at 800 degrees C to obtain delta-Bi2O3 NPs. Physicochemical studies such as FTIR spectroscopy and XPS confirmed the formation of Bi2O3 NPs, whereas XRD and Raman verified the formation of the cubic delta (d) phase of Bi2O3 NPs. However, HRTEM revealed the spherical shape with diameter 10-20 nm, while BET studies expose mesoporous nature with a surface area of 71 m(2)/gm. The band gap for delta-Bi2O3 NPs was estimated to be 3.45 eV, which ensured delta-Bi2O3 to be a promising photocatalyst under visible-light irradiation. Therefore, based on the results of physicochemical studies, the bioinspired delta-Bi2O3 NPs were explored as active photocatalysts for the degradation of toxic dyes, viz., Thymol blue (TB) and Congo red (CR) under visible-light irradiation. The study showed 98.26% degradation of TB in 40 min and 69.67% degradation of CR in 80 min by delta-Bi2O3 NPs. The photogenerated holes and electrons were found responsible for this enhancement. Furthermore, molecular docking investigations were also performed for delta-Bi2O3 NPs to understand its biological function as New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase 1 (NDM-1) [PDB ID 5XP9] enzyme inhibitor, and studies revealed good interaction with various amino acid residues and found good hydrogen bonding with a fine pose energy of -3.851 kcal/mole.