Green sol–gel synthesis of biogenic B‐ZnO nanoparticles: Enhancing antibacterial activity and solar‐driven photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye

Abstract Biological techniques based on plant extracts have attracted significant interest in the sustainable development era, exceeding the popularity of conventional physical and chemical synthesis methods. Current research biogenic boron‐doped zinc oxide nanoparticles (B‐ZnONPs) synthesized employing leaf extract from Lantana camara via the green synthesis approach with their inherent characteristics and solar‐driven photocatalytic activity was evaluated with chemically generated B‐ZnONPs. Numerous analytical methods, including field emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffractometry and UV–visible spectroscopy, have been applied to characterize the B‐ZnONPs, revealing the formation of monoclinic crystalline phase B‐ZnONPs. Notably, under sunlight irradiation at pH 11, the B‐ZnONPs exhibited significantly higher efficacy in the photocatalytic breakdown of methylene blue dye induced by sun radiation, achieving 96.2% photodegradation within 60 min. These results highlight the potential of L. camara leaf extract‐mediated B‐ZnONPs in solar‐based photocatalytic applications. Additionally, the biogenic B‐ZnONPs have been examined for their efficacy against gram‐positive and gram‐negative bacteria, exhibiting significant antibacterial properties.