Investigating Physical Properties and Formation Mechanism of Biosynthesized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles using Dill (Anethum graveolens) Leaf Extract

Abstract

Background: Nanotechnology is a novel and developing arena of science. The building block of nanotechnology is nanoparticles (NPs); their size is less than 100 nm. The NPs are synthesized using two dissimilar approaches, namely top-down and bottom-up approaches. The leading methods for producing NPs are chemical and physical methods and are frequently expensive and hypothetically dangerous to both the surroundings and the user. Objective: Consequently, the researchers intended to synthesize NPs using biological ingredients such as plant extracts, bacteria, fungi, algae and yeasts. Nevertheless, the available phytochemicals in plant extracts, compared with other microorganisms, own an extremely extraordinary capacity for metal ions reduction within a short period, which requires a lengthier cultivation time. Methods: In this study zinc oxide (ZnO) NPs have been produced utilizing Dill (anethum graveolens) leaf extract. This process is an easy, one-pot, inexpensive and green process, i.e. isolated from utilizing toxic materials. Results: Various characterization techniques have been utilized to inspect the structure, size, morphology, chemical composition and optical properties of the ZnO NPs. Additionally, the mechanism of formation of ZnO NPs from Dill (anethum graveolens) leaf extract has been explained intensively. Conclusion: This investigation revealed that Dill (anethum graveolens) leaf extract is a suitable environment for producing nanosize ~27 nm, spherical, monodisperse, wide band gap ~ 3.56 eV, highly crystalline and 1:1 Zn to O ratio ZnO NPs.