NEW APPROACH TO PREPARING GD3AL5O12 GARNET FROM THE PEEL OF VEGETABLES AND FRUITS

Abstract

This invention provides a sustainable method for synthesizing Gd3Al5O12 garnet using fruit and vegetable peels as natural reducing and stabilizing agents. Through a process of sol-gel formation, drying, and sintering, the method yields high-purity garnet suitable for optical applications. This eco-friendly approach addresses waste management challenges and reduces reliance on toxic chemicals, contributing to green synthesis in material science.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to materials science and environmental chemistry, focusing on an eco-friendly process for synthesizing Gd3Al5O12 (gadolinium aluminum garnet) using fruit and vegetable peels. The invention aims to provide a sustainable alternative to conventional synthesis methods by utilizing organic waste, offering applications in solid-state lighting, white light sources, and luminescent materials.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Fruit and vegetable peels are typically discarded as waste, contributing to environmental pollution. However, these organic materials are rich in bioactive compounds, including polyphenols and flavonoids, which have the potential to act as reducing and stabilizing agents in nanoparticle synthesis. Conventional synthesis methods for Gd3Al5O12 garnet, such as sol-gel and solid-state reactions, are energy-intensive and often require toxic chemicals. By contrast, this invention provides a green synthesis method using fruit and vegetable peels to produce Gd3Al5O12, minimizing chemical use and environmental impact. This approach not only addresses waste management challenges but also offers a low-cost, sustainable method for producing garnet materials, which are widely used in phosphors, LEDs, and scintillators.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention.
This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.
To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.
The invention presents a method for synthesizing Gd3Al5O12 garnet from fruit and vegetable peels. The process involves creating a sol from peel paste, mixing it with gadolinium and aluminum nitrate, and drying and sintering the mixture to obtain crystalline Gd3Al5O12. The natural compounds in the peels serve as reducing and stabilizing agents, facilitating nanoparticle formation without additional toxic reagents. This environmentally friendly process yields high-purity garnet for various optical applications, making it a valuable alternative to conventional synthesis methods.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and methods that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
FIGURE 1: SHOWS THE FLOWCHART DETAILING THE SYNTHESIS PROCESS OF GD3AL5O12 USING FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PEELS.
FIGURE 2: ILLUSTRATES THE XRD PATTERN OF THE SYNTHESIZED GD3AL5O12 GARNET, INDICATING THE FORMATION OF A CRYSTALLINE CUBIC STRUCTURE.
FIGURE 3: DEPICTS THE UV-EXCITED EMISSION SPECTRA OF THE GD3AL5O12 GARNET, DEMONSTRATING ITS LUMINESCENT PROPERTIES.
FIGURE 4: PRESENTS A MICROSCOPIC IMAGE OF THE GARNET POWDER SAMPLE, SHOWING PARTICLE MORPHOLOGY AND SIZE DISTRIBUTION.
The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a"," "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes" and/or "including," when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
In addition, the descriptions of "first", "second", "third", and the like in the present invention are used for the purpose of description only, and are not to be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defining "first" and "second" may include at least one of the features, either explicitly or implicitly.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
The Gd3Al5O12 garnet is synthesized using a sustainable approach that employs vegetable and fruit peels as a source of reducing and stabilizing agents. Initially, the peels from vegetables such as onion, banana, potato, and carrot are thoroughly cleaned, boiled, and ground into a paste. This paste, weighing approximately 30 grams, is mixed with a colloidal suspension containing gadolinium nitrate and aluminum nitrate in a 3:5 ratio. The solution is then diluted with 100 ml of distilled water to facilitate thorough mixing.
The mixture is stirred and heated to approximately 60-70°C to ensure homogeneity, leading to the formation of a sol. This sol is further processed by heating for about 10-12 hours, forming a gel network as the precursor materials interact. Once the gel has formed, it undergoes a drying process to remove residual solvent and water, initially on a hot plate at 100°C and subsequently in an oven at 150°C for 4-5 hours. The dried material is then finely ground into a powder using a mortar and pestle to prepare it for the sintering process.
In the final step, the powdered material is subjected to sintering at 1100°C, which facilitates the transformation of the dried precursor into the crystalline Gd3Al5O12 garnet phase. This high-temperature treatment induces the formation of a stable cubic structure with the desired luminescent properties. The resulting Gd3Al5O12 garnet powder exhibits high purity and is suitable for use in various applications, including solid-state lighting and display technologies.
The bioactive compounds present in the fruit and vegetable peels, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and ascorbic acid, act as natural reducing agents, aiding in the conversion of metal ions to their metallic form. Additionally, stabilizing agents like cellulose and pectin provide a protective barrier around the nanoparticles, preventing aggregation. This eco-friendly synthesis method leverages the natural properties of peels to produce Gd3Al5O12 garnet efficiently, contributing to waste reduction and sustainable material production.
, Claims:1. A method for synthesizing Gd3Al5O12 garnet from vegetable and fruit peels, comprising the steps of creating a peel paste, mixing with gadolinium and aluminum nitrate, and sintering to form a crystalline garnet structure.
2. The method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the peel paste consists of 30 grams of boiled and ground onion, banana, potato, and carrot peels.
3. The method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the mixture of peel paste and metal nitrates is heated to a temperature of 60-70°C to form a homogenous sol.
4. The method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the formed gel is dried on a hot plate at 100°C and subsequently in an oven at 150°C.
5. The method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the dried material is sintered at 1100°C to obtain the crystalline Gd3Al5O12 garnet phase.
6. The method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein polyphenols, flavonoids, and ascorbic acid from the peels act as reducing agents in the synthesis process.
7. The method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein cellulose and pectin from the peels serve as stabilizing agents, preventing nanoparticle aggregation.
8. The method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the synthesized Gd3Al5O12 garnet is suitable for use in optical applications, including phosphors, LEDs, and scintillators.

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