Amplification of photocatalytic and antimicrobial activities with eco-friendly prepared ZnO nanoparticles

Due to the alarming increase in wastewater pollution brought on by industrial expansion, economically and environmentally appropriate solutions are required. The present research used a green co-precipitation approach to create zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) from five distinct plant extracts and assess their antibacterial and photocatalytic properties. Several models, including the Scherrer equation, LSLMSE, Monshi-Scherrer model, Williamson-Hall model, Size-strain plot approach, and Halder-Wagner model, were used to determine the crystallite size from X-ray diffractometer (XRD) data. The Monshi-Scherrer model yielded the highest accurate crystallite size estimation among all. FTIR spectroscopy was used to confirm the functional groups responsible for the stability and production of nanoparticles. With a maximum degradation efficiency of 90.66% in 90 minutes, the photocatalytic activity was evaluated using 10 ppm Congo Red under time variation. Furthermore, antibacterial tests showed notable action against S. aureus , S. abony , and L. monocytogenes , underscoring the promise of ZnO nanoparticles in biomedical and environmental applications. Utilizing thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), the manufactured composites' degradation temperature has reached 720°C. Under 110 nm, FESEM study indicated spherical and aggregated morphologies, while UV-Vis analysis showed a smaller optical bandgap that was advantageous for improved electrochemical and catalytic performance.