Green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles and zinc oxide–silver, zinc oxide–copper nanocomposites using Bridelia ferruginea as biotemplate

Abstract

The quest to synthesize nanomaterials with improved properties, but less undesirable effects on the environment necessitated this research. Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles and zinc oxide–silver (ZnO–Ag), zinc oxide–copper (ZnO–Cu) nanocomposites were synthesized with pure eco-friendly dye extracted from Bridelia ferruginea, zinc acetate (Zn(CH3COO)2) as host, copper acetate (Cu (CH3COO)2), and silver nitrate (AgNO3) as dopant precursors. Phytochemical screening of dyes showed high, presence of phenols and terpenoids. The nanomaterials were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis, transmission electron microscopy and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. The results showed the capping agents in the dyes were responsible for reducing the bulk materials. The crystallinity of the nanomaterials were found to be 19.02, 18.98 and 18.90 nm for the ZnO, ZnO–Ag and ZnO–Cu nanoparticles respectively. The ZnO nanoparticles were flakelike in shape, whereas the Cu and Ag doped particles were spherical. An optical bandgap of 4.73 eV was recorded for the dye and 3.24 eV for the ZnO nanoparticles. This was narrowed to 3.18 and 3.13 eV by silver and copper dopant respectively. These results showed the nanoparticles as a potential agent for photovoltaics and other optical applications.