Plant leaves mediated synthesis of semiconductor ZnO nanoparticles and its application for seed germination

Abstract

Green synthesis of nanoparticles is a simple, eco-friendly and cost-effective approach which might cover the way for researchers across the globe to explore the potential of different herbs to synthesize nanoparticles. In this regard, the present work focus on the green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles usingan aqueous extract of Azadirachtaindicaleaves. The extract was used as the biological reduction agent for synthesizing zinc oxide nanoparticles from zinc acetate. Synthesis conditions were optimized for maximal and narrow size range synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles. The resultant nanopowder was characterized using various analytical techniques, such as UV-Visible spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction Spectroscopy (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy(FESEM) withEnergy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX). The characterization resultsconfirm thecrystalline nature of green synthesized Zinc Oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) with spherical morphology and the averagesize of ∼50 nm. UV-Visible absorbance peak was centered near 363 nm for the reduction of zinc acetate to the ZnO nanoparticles. It was observed that the linear increment of the root and shoot length of mung bean (Vigna radiata) seeds with the concentration of ZnO NPs.