The role of Vitex negundo leaf extract in enhancing antioxidant properties of Ag-doped ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles for industrial water purification

Ferromagnetic materials can be grown with a high surface area and high thermal stability, making them very useful for addressing environmental problems. In the current study, nanocrystalline ZnFe2O4 and Ag-doped ZnFe2O4 samples were synthesized using Vitex negundo leaves extract through a green synthesis method. The plant's phytochemicals acted as both reducing and capping agents during the synthesis process. X-ray diffraction confirms the cubic spinel phase of the material with crystallite sizes ranging from 28 to 39 nm. Fourier transforminfrared spectrophotometry counts all required functional group and bond starching. Scanning field emission electron microscopy inveterate the formation of compactly arranged spherical nanoparticles (NPs). The NPs were tested for their ability to fight against different harmful strains, Escherichia coli (MTCC 82) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MTCC 424), along with the gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC 96) and Bacillus subtilis (MTCC 441). The antimicrobial properties were studied and found that silver-doped zinc ferrite NPs exhibited the most robust activity, along with significant antioxidant properties. Additionally, these NPs demonstrated a remarkable 93 % photodegradation efficiency of methylene blue dye. Additionally, these NPs demonstrated a remarkable 93 % photodegradation efficiency of methylene blue dye. This study highlights the use of leaf extracts as reducing and stabilizing agents, eliminating the need for harmful chemicals typically used in traditional methods. This green synthesis is not only cost-effective and sustainable but also takes advantage of the beneficial bioactive compounds in the leaves, which can enhance the properties of the NPs.