In Situ Synthesis of ZnCo₂O₄ and Pd@ZnCo₂O₄ Nanocomposites for Dye Degradation and Biological Applications

In this study, ZnCo₂O₄ and Pd@ZnCo₂O₄ were synthesized through a novel phytochemical process using the leaf extract of Catharanthus roseus for photocatalytic and biological applications. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized through X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and UV-Visible spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activities of ZnCo₂O₄ and Pd@ZnCo₂O₄ (10 mg) were evaluated after 40 min of reaction by degrading brilliant blue dye (100 μg/mL solution), achieving 42% and 97% degradation, respectively. This green synthesis method for ZnCo₂O₄ and Pd@ZnCo₂O₄ proves to be an eco-friendly, modest, and effective approach for the photodegradation of brilliant blue dye in an aqueous medium. Additionally, the ZnCo₂O₄ and Pd@ZnCo₂O₄ catalysts were also tested for their antibacterial and antioxidant activities.