FACILE GREEN SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ZNO NANOPARTICLES AND THEIR BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to offer an environmentally friendly method for synthesising zinc oxide nanoparticles by utilising an extract from the fruit of Citrullus cooperi. The old methods of chemical synthesis are replaced by green strategy, which offers an environmentally benign and sustainable  alternative. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis were utilised in order to acquire a comprehensive understanding of the ZnO nanoparticles that were created. Due to the fact that FTIR was able to confirm the presence of Zn-O bonds and organic components in the fruit extract, it was determined that the fruit extract served as a capping agent. However, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed a crumpled and agglomerated look, whilst UV-Vis spectroscopy exhibited discrete absorption peaks. Both the elemental composition of the ZnO nanoparticles and their composition were validated by the EDX examination. The ZnO nanoparticles that were generated had a high antibacterial efficiency against Escherichia coli as well as a powerful antioxidant activity that was comparable to or even exceeded that of ascorbic acid. The findings demonstrated that the fruit extract of Citrullus colocynthis is effective as a reducing and capping agent in the environmentally friendly manufacture of zinc oxide nanoparticles, which may have significance for biological applications. In subsequent research, the focus should be on optimising the parameters of the synthesis process and investigating the safety and effectiveness of these ZnO nanoparticles in living organisms.