Iron–copper bimetallic nanoparticles (Fe-Cu BNPs) were prepared via a green synthesis route. Ixora finlaysoniana has been used in this study as a capping and stabilizing agent in the modification of Fe-Cu BNPs. As-synthesized BNPs were characterized using different techniques including UV/Vis spectrophotometry, FTIR, XRD and SEM. A particle size analyzer and SEM studies indicated the particle size to be in the range of 50–200 nm. In addition, degradation of MB dye in an aqueous system and radical-scavenging potential in a DPPH assay were also examined using BNPs. Methylene blue dye degradation in 17 min was monitored with UV/Vis spectrophotometry, which exhibited the efficiency of Fe-Cu BNPs. Bimetallic nanoparticles were also found to be efficient in neutralizing DPPH free radicals. Furthermore, kinetic studies of both dye degradation and radical scavenging potential are reported in this article. Subsequently, Fe-Cu BNPs synthesized via a green and sustainable method can be employed for dye degradation and free radical-scavenging activities.

Introduction: In the present study, citrus pectin-stabilized copper/iron bimetallic nanoparticle (NP) catalyst has been used for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye in wastewater produced from the food industry.Methods: The P@Cu/Fe composites were synthesized by co-precipitation and the sol–gel methods.Results and discussion: The characterization of the composites was carried out using UV, FTIR, SEM, and XRD techniques, revealing that P₁@Cu/FeNPs synthesized through co-precipitation had a particle size of 150–35 nm with an irregular spherical and hexagonal shape. P₂@Cu/FeNPs, synthesized using the gel combustion method using triethylamine as fuel, proved to be a better nanocatalyst with spherical particles having a uniform structure and size distribution of 105–23 nm. The mean zeta potential value of P₁@Cu/FeNPs was found to be between 0 and 5mv, showing the composite to be less stable and 13 mv for more stable P₂@Cu/FeNPs. The degradation of MB by P₁@Cu/FeNPs was recorded up to 23.57% after 35 min and the nanocomposite synthesized by the sol–gel method exhibited 97.28% degradation in 30 min. The P₂@Cu/FeNPs performed the best degradation due to their synergistic impact. In essence, this research represents a step toward the synthesis of bimetallic NPs using a biomaterial (citrus pectin) with improved synergistic photocatalytic potential that can induce different features in nanomaterials. Pectin-functionalized NPs using different metals should be synthesized and tested for different catalytic applications.

Zinc plays an important role as a micronutrient in both animals and plants. The application of zinc oxide nanoparticles as a potential solution to alleviate zinc deficiency and its effect on the growth of seedling attributes of wheat. These particles were prepared by precipitation and sol-gel method using zinc sulfate and zinc chloride as precursors. The prepared samples were characterized by Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier-transform spectroscopy. Zinc oxide nanoparticles were found to be elliptical in shape and their diameter ranges were observed 10.6 to 10.7nm by Scanning electron microscopy. Fourier-transform spectroscopy analyses showed the presence of the various functional group in the zinc oxide nanoparticles like N-H, CH2, CH3, RCH=CHR, C=O, -COOH, -OH and CH2-Cl. Solutions of different concentrations of zinc oxide nanoparticles (0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4%, 0.5%) were prepared and seeds were soaked in distilled water (hydro priming). After the 6 days observations, it was found that nanoparticles (0.3%) prepared from the zinc sulfate by sol-gel method showed significant variation for germination and seedling attributes of wheat as compared to control. The decreasing order for the zinc chemicals was zinc sulfate nanoparticles > zinc chloride for methods sol-gel method > precipitation method > standard (original salt) and for the levels was 0.3% > 0.2% > 0.4% > 0.5% > 0.1% > hydro priming > control. In crux, nanoparticles prepared from zinc sulfate enhanced the germination of wheat as compared to control.

CORRIGENDUM: DEVELOPMENT OF COMPOSITE CATALYST CONTAINING RENEWABLE BIOCHAR BLENDED WITH ZINC OXIDE AND COPPER DIPHENYL AMINE FOR VISIBLE LIGHT PHOTOCATALYTIC DEGRADATION OF METHYLENE BLUE* Correspondence: faiza.hassan@chem.uol.edu.pk , qamar.zaman1@envs.uol.edu.pkKeywords: DS visible photocatalysis, methylene blue, advanced oxidation process, biochar, wastewaterCorrigendum on: Saif A, Rizvi SI, Shaukat Z, Saif M, Tabassum S, Khalid R, Javed F, Rebouh NY, Hassan F and Zaman Qu (2025) Development of composite catalyst containing renewable biochar blended with zinc oxide and copper diphenyl amine for visible light photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue. Front. Sustain. Food Syst. 9:1500907. doi: 10.3389/fsufs.2025.1500907Error in figure/table legendIn the published article, there was an error in the legend for [Figure 2] as published. Figure 2, lacks the permission license number (6016250857795), which has been reused from the source "Physica E: Low-dimensional Systems and Nanostructures ". Authors apologizes for this overlook during manuscript preparation. However, declare that by such insertion of license number, the conclusion will not be altered altogether. The corrected legend appears below. [Figure 2. SEM micrographs of (A) ZnO at mag 5.00 K X, (B) Cu-DPA composite at mag 10.00 K X. copyright 2025 by Elsevier. Reprinted under lisence no. 6016250857795]The authors apologize for this error and state that this does not change the scientific conclusions of the article in any way. The original article has been updated.