Green synthesis of zinc oxide and evaluation of its photocatalytic activity against methylene blue

Abstract

The aim of the study was to synthesize zinc oxide (ZnO) using the bio reduction method and test its
photocatalytic degradation potential against methylene blue (MB) dye. Materials and Methods: Zinc nitrate salt
was utilized as a precursor for synthesis creation of ZnO nanoparticles. After bio reduction of zinc nitrate, off white
cream precipitates were formed, indicating the formation of ZnO. The produced ZnO was characterized using
Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, and zeta potential measurements.
Results and Discussion: FTIR peaks below 1000 cm-1 confirmed the formation of ZnO, while XRD studies showed
that the average grain size of ZnO particles was 92 nm and these particles were crystalline in nature. Further, the
average zeta potential value (-7.38 mV) of these NPs indicated that these particles were stable in nature. MB dye
was used to examine the photocatalytic activity of the produced ZnO nanoparticles. According to our findings,
ZnO nanoparticles have the capacity to degrade the MB dye. Conclusion: Overall, the findings revealed that ZnO
synthesized through onion peel extract might be employed in dye-contaminated wastewater bioremediation.