Eco-sustainable synthesis, characterization, and biotechnological applications of zirconia nanoparticles and their nanocomposites: An overview

Nanoscience and nanotechnology offer potential solutions to environmental pollution and climate change which are the major global challenges. Both chemical and physical approaches are employed for the creation of nanoparticles; however, biological approaches are favored for their eco-friendliness, cleanliness, safety, cost-efficiency, user-friendliness, and effectiveness in ensuring high productivity and purity. In this review, we explore the biosynthesis of ZrO2NPs utilizing bacteria, fungi, and plants. Bioactive metabolites released by these organisms, such as polyphenols, fucoidans, flavonoids enzymes, reducing sugars, amino acids, and saponins play an important part in bioreduction, biocapping, and biostabilization processes. Various approaches are employed for the recognition and characterization of biosynthesized nanoparticles such as UV–vis spectroscopy, TEM, FT-IR, DLS, SEM, XRD, zeta potential assessment, etc. Green ZrO2NPs have remarkable features, including a nanoscale size of 5-50nm and various morphologies e.g. nanospheres, nanochains, and nanorods, and broad bandgap energy of 3.7–5.5eV. Their great stability and biocompatibility make them useful for biological and environmental applications including pathogen and cancer deactivation, and pollution elimination. Green ZrO2-based nanocomposites have emerged as promising materials for water treatment, anti-biofilms, nanoelectronic devices, and catalytic reduction. The final portion includes possible applications, a summary, and upcoming challenges.