Green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using Punica Granatum leaf extract and its application towards photocatalytic degradation of Coomassie brilliant blue R-250 dye

Abstract

Green synthesis method for nanoparticle synthesis offers many advantages over physical and chemical methods as it does not involve any hazardous chemicals and also it is a one-pot, and economically cheap process. In this regard, the present research describes the green synthesis of Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) using Punica granatum leaf extract. The various properties such as morphological, structural, and optical properties of green zinc oxide nanoparticles were characterized by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, UV–Visible spectroscopy, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy and X-Ray diffraction (XRD). The XRD pattern revealed the crystalline nature of ZnO-NPs and the average diameter of particles is 20 nm.TEM and FESEM analysis show the spherical shape of ZnO-NPs with size ranging from 10 to 30 nm. The synthesized ZnO-NPs shows the commendable potential towards the photocatalytic degradation of Coomassie brilliant blue R-250 dye under direct sunlight irradiations. Thus, this work provides a positive step in the area of a green photocatalyst to alleviate the noxious dyes from water.