Green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles for the control of insects that damage historical and art pieces made of wood

Abstract Wood is one of the most versatile materials, including religious symbols and carved works of art. However, it is a material that is vulnerable to biodeterioration by insects, fungi, and other organisms. Biodeterioration by xylophagous insects is one of the main problems for the conservation of wooden objects; however, control methods are focused on insecticides which can be harmful and toxic to humans and the environment. In this work, the use of zinc oxide nanoparticles obtained by green synthesis with an aqueous extract of agro-industrial waste such as orange peels and zinc nitrate was proposed. It porposes an alternative to the use of toxic substances against the attack of Bostrichidae xylophagous insects of the genus Prostephanus on wood. The results obtained show that the chemical composition of orange peels extract is a good alternative for the green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles. Information obtained from SEM, SEM-EDX and TEM analysis of the material provided agglomerated structural morphology, zinc oxide composition and particle size on the nanometric scale. Preliminary studies of the biocidal activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles alone and in ethanol suspension (1, 3, 5 %) demonstrated the effective protection of broadleaf wood blocks against the attack of the xylophagous insect Brostrichidae of the Prostephanus genus. The biocidal activity increased up to 75 % when zinc oxide nanoparticles were applied directly rather than in ethanolic suspension. Furthermore, the nanoparticles increased water absorption capacity played an important role in removing local moisture from the cavity, which is vital for the insect’s development at the larval stage.