Biosynthesis of Zinc oxide nanoparticles using Bergenia ciliate aqueous extract and evaluation of their photocatalytic and antioxidant potential

The present study was aimed to carry out a novel, non-toxic, cost-effective, and green way to prepare Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) using Bergenia ciliate extract as both reducing and capping agents without any harmful material. The bioreduced ZnONPs were characterized using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis spectroscopy), Field Emission Scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The crystal structure and phase purity of the synthesized ZnONPs carried by PXRD analysis showed the hexagonal symmetry of ZnONPs. The morphology as determined by FE-SEM analysis revealed that the nanoparticles were having truncated octahedron morphology and the particulate size within 23-59 nm. The elemental composition was determined by EDAX analysis. The optical properties of ZnONPs as determined by UV-Vis spectroscopy shows the maximum absorption at 355 nm. About 82% degradation of methylene blue dye was achieved within the time of 52 min on exposure to ZnONPs in sunlight. Further, the ZnONPs showed good antioxidant activity by using the DPPH assay. The present investigation sheds light on the synthesis of ZnONPs by utilizing a green synthetic approach involving leaf extract of Bergenia ciliata for the first time. The current study is an attempt to describe an effective, simple, and eco-friendly method of ZnONPs synthesis and to evaluate its potential for various industrial and environmental applications.