Simple Combustion Synthesis, Structural, Morphological, Optical and Catalytic Properties of ZnO Nanoparticles

In this present study, semiconductor zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were successfully prepared by microwave irradiation (ZnO-MIM) and conventional combustion (ZnO-CCM) method, respectively using Aloe vera plant extract as reducing agent. Crystal structure, purity and surface morphology of the samples were examined by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. UV-Visible diffuse reflectance (DRS) and photoluminescence (PL) spectral studies was used to analysis the optical property and band gap energy of the samples. The antibacterial activities of ZnO nanostructures (ZnO-MIM and ZnO-CCM) were tested against both gram positive (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus) and gram negative bacteria (Proteus mirabilis, Salmonella typhi) by modified disc diffusion method and observed enhanced activity against P. mirabilis and S. typhi. ZnO nanostructures (ZnO-MIM and ZnO-CCM) were used as the photo-catalysts for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye and observed enhanced efficiency of degradation of MB than that of their same bulk materials. Moreover, the synthesis method is easy with low cost and time consumable and also high yield purity products.