Green Synthesis and Characterization of Lead (II) Oxide (PbO) Nanoparticles Using Neem Plant Extract as a Natural Reducing Agent

In this study, lead (II) oxide (PbO) nanoparticles were synthesized using a simple, non-toxic green synthesis method involving Neem plant extract as a reducing agent. The synthesized material was characterized as reddish tetragonal crystalline litharge (𝜶-PbO). X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed a preferred growth orientation along the (101) plane, with crystallite sizes ranging from 31.42 nm to 54.81 nm and an average size of 43.47 nm, confirming its nanomaterial status. Microstructural analysis showed that the highest dislocation density (10.12 ⨯10-4 nm-2) occurred in the smallest grains, indicating a higher concentration of defects per unit area in these regions. Morphological examination via SEM revealed porous, clustered nanoparticles with irregular surfaces. Optical studies showed thickness-dependent direct band gaps ranging from 2.81 eV to 3.24 eV, with reflectance remaining below 5% in the visible-NIR region. These properties suggest that the synthesized PbO nanoparticles are suitable for applications in photovoltaics, photo-detectors, and antireflective coatings.