Rapid Room-Temperature Synthesis of ZnO Nanoparticles with Styrene Gas Detection for Flexible Sensors

Comparative study of zinc oxide nanoparticles synthesized through biogenic and chemical route with reference to antibacterial, antibiofilm and anticancer activities

Background: Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have wide applications in various industries, especially they have been known for their antibacterial effects in polymers and textile fibers. ZnO NPs were produced by two different solutions and milling methods. Different techniques were used in order to select the most effective methods for coating the fabric with ZnO NPs. The microstructures and the composition of the ZnO NPs were investigated using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) coupled with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). Additionally, the antibacterial activity of the treated fabric against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli bacteria was investigated. The overall experimental findings show that the highest inhibitory effect against Staphylococcus aureus in the sample of fabric which covered with ZnO NPs synthesized by the solution method. Methods: In the solution method, ZnO NPs were synthesized by dissolving zinc chloride in 1, 2 Ethanediol and mixing with aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide. In milling method, firstly, zinc sulfide nanoparticles were prepared through reaction between zinc acetate and Thioacetamide and then by milling and oxidation the zinc sulfide nanoparticles, ZnO NPs were synthesized. In order to deposition ZnO NPs on the Tetron fabric, it was fully drawn and fixed on a frame. After that, acrylic copolymer resin was added into distilled water and ZnO NPs were added in another beaker to ethanol. The two beakers were then placed in the ultrasonic bath for a certain time. Finally, the fabric was dipped into the beaker containing resin for some moment and then immersed into the beaker containing ZnO NPs. During these processes, both beakers were in the ultrasonic bath. After drawing out the fabric from second beaker, it was dried in air. This procedure was performed for both types of ZnO NPs fabricated by two mentioned methods. Antibacterial activity of ZnO NPs coated on the fabric against two types of bacteria was studied by agar diffusion method. Results: XRD patterns of synthesized powders from both methods were identified as ZnO NPs. Sharp diffraction peaks indicate good crystallinity of ZnO NPs. The morphology of the ZnO NPs fabricated by both methods which was analyzed by field emission SEM shows that the ZnO particles synthesized by milling and solution methods are in nano scale at the range of 26 - 29 nm and 9 - 11 nm, respectively. The highest inhibitory effect against Staphylococcus aureus was shown for the fabric which coated by ZnO NPs produced by the solution method. It was seen, the antibacterial activity of ZnO NPs fabricated by solution method was higher than that of milling method. Conclusion: ZnO NPs were synthesized by two different methods and the antibacterial activity of Tetron fabric coated with ZnO NPs was studied. Distribution and stability of ZnO NPs on the fabric depend on fabrication method and particle size which means that the smaller particles have more stability and better distribution than larger particles. The particle size and deposited concentration of ZnO NPs were effective on antibacterial activity, so that the smaller particles tend less agglomeration and have more surface area and because of that better antibacterial activity. Overall the results demonstrated a good antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus than Escherichia coli.in the sample of fabric which covered with ZnO NPs synthesized by the solution method.

This study investigates the synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) at room temperature (RT) and their integration into flexible gas sensors for diverse environmental and industrial applications. ZnO, a group II-VI semiconductor with a wide bandgap (3.0–3.37 eV), exhibits high sensitivity, stability, and cost-effectiveness, making it an excellent candidate for gas sensing applications. However, traditional ZnO synthesis methods often demand high operating temperatures and involve lengthy, energy-intensive processes, limiting their use in flexible and wearable sensor technologies. Addressing these challenges, we propose an efficient RT synthesis method leveraging variations in solution pH to optimize the physiochemical properties of ZnO NPs, thereby advancing their practical applications.ZnO NPs were synthesized by adjusting the pH of aqueous solutions (neutral to high basicity) and employing bath sonication. The RT synthesis process eliminates the need for high-temperature hydrothermal methods, resulting in energy savings and reduced environmental impact. The synthesized NPs underwent extensive characterization to determine their size, structure, surface area, and thermal stability. A subset of NPs was calcinated at 500 °C to investigate the impact of thermal treatment on gas-sensing properties.The synthesized ZnO NPs demonstrated a strong dependence on solution pH. At higher basicity levels (pH ≈ 13), the NPs exhibited minimal organic residue (4.2 wt%), high crystallinity, and a narrow size distribution (30–80 nm). These features were corroborated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), which revealed structural transformations and superior thermal stability. In contrast, NPs synthesized at neutral pH exhibited significant organic impurities and less uniformity, indicating the critical role of solution basicity in determining the quality of ZnO NPs.The ZnO NPs were incorporated into flexible gas sensors fabricated using the doctor blade technique, depositing nanocomposite pastes onto pre-screened carbon electrodes on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates. These sensors demonstrated remarkable mechanical flexibility, maintaining stability under repetitive bending and stress. The integration of pre- and post-calcinated ZnO NPs enabled a comparative analysis of their sensing performance. Gas sensing tests were conducted under ambient conditions (RT and moderate relative humidity), exposing the sensors to various volatile organic compounds and analyzing their response and recovery times.Sensors containing pre-calcinated ZnO NPs (RT.pH13, Figure 1A) exhibited heightened sensitivity to gases such as styrene and acetic acid (Figure 1(C,D)), while post-calcinated sensors (RT.pH13.C, Figure 1B) showed improved selectivity towards benzene, acetone, and ethanol (Figure 1(C,D)). These variations in gas sensitivity were attributed to differences in surface properties, such as particle size and organic impurity levels, influenced by the calcination process. For instance, the removal of organic residues through calcination enhanced the specificity of the RT.pH13.C sensors, reducing noise and improving stability. Additionally, the RT.pH13 sensors demonstrated partial recovery after exposure to styrene, suggesting possible chemical interactions, whereas the RT.pH13.C sensors exhibited more reversible responses indicative of physical sorption mechanisms.The sensors' temperature and humidity performance were also evaluated, revealing the calcination process's role in improving thermal and humidity stability. The RT.pH13.C sensors maintained consistent behavior under varying environmental conditions, demonstrating their suitability for applications in challenging industrial settings. In contrast, the RT.pH13 sensors exhibited greater sensitivity to humidity and temperature fluctuations, likely due to the presence of residual organic materials.This study underscores the potential of RT-synthesized ZnO NPs as a viable alternative to traditional hydrothermal methods. By optimizing solution pH and minimizing post-synthesis processing steps, the proposed method offers a cost-effective, scalable, and environmentally friendly approach to ZnO NP production. The integration of these NPs into flexible sensors highlights their practical utility for Internet of Things (IoT) applications, including environmental monitoring, healthcare diagnostics, and industrial safety.Future research will focus on expanding the range of target gases and exploring additional modifications to further enhance sensor performance. Collaborations with interdisciplinary teams are anticipated to validate these findings and accelerate the deployment of ZnO-based sensors in real-world applications. This work bridges the gap between nanomaterial synthesis and application, paving the way for innovative advancements in flexible gas sensor technology. Figure 1

Introduction/Objective Introduction: Advancements in nanoscale materials have led to the exploration of metal oxides for cancer diagnosis and therapy. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) are particularly promising due to their biocompatibility and anticancer properties demonstrated across various cancer cell lines. Objectives This study aimed to isolate fungal endophytes from Eucalyptus sideroxylon leaves and utilize them for the biosynthesis of nanoparticles (ZnO NPs and Au NPs) to assess their anticancer activity. Methods/Case Report Methods: Healthy Eucalyptus sideroxylon samples were collected from a desert research center, and endophytes were isolated and cultivated. The fungal biomass was processed to synthesize ZnO NPs and Au NPs. Cell lines were propagated for cytotoxicity experiments using the MTT assay in a 96-well plate format. Results (if a Case Study enter NA) Results: Biosynthesized ZnO and Au NPs exhibited anticancer activity against HCT-116 and CACO2 cell lines. The IC50 values for ZnO NPs were 5.06 μg/mL for HCT-116 and 6.07 μg/mL for CACO2, while Au NPs showed IC50 values of 5.9 μg/mL for HCT-116 and 1.1 μg/mL for CACO2. ZnO NPs demonstrated dose-dependent toxicity on HCT-116 cells, with increasing concentrations leading to a reduction in cell viability. Similarly, Au NPs exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxicity on both cell lines. Conclusion Conclusion: This study underscores the potential of endophytic fungi for biosynthesizing metal nanoparticles with significant anticancer effects. ZnO NPs displayed superior efficacy against colon cancer cells compared to Au NPs, indicating their potential as therapeutic agents. The findings highlight the importance of exploring natural sources for nanoparticle synthesis and their application in cancer therapy.

Artemisia absinthium (A. absinthium) leaf extract was successfully used to create zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), and their properties were investigated via several techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis spectroscopy). SEM analysis confirmed the spherical and elliptical shapes of the particles. Three different zinc peaks were observed via EDX at the energies of 1, 8.7, and 9.8 keV, together with a single oxygen peak at 0.5 keV. The XRD analysis identified ZnO NPs as having a hexagonal wurtzite structure, with a particle size that decreased from 24.39 to 18.77 nm, and with an increasing surface area (BET) from 4.003 to 6.032 m2/g for the ZnO (without extract) and green ZnO NPs, respectively. The FTIR analysis confirmed the groups of molecules that were accountable for the stabilization and minimization of the ZnO NPs, which were apparent at 3400 cm. Using UV–Vis spectroscopy, the band-gap energies (Egs) for the green ZnO and ZnO (without extract) NPs were estimated, and the values were 2.65 and 2.79 eV, respectively.

Owing to their unique properties, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have a broad range of exciting applications. However, the problem of nanoparticles aggregation remains challenging. So, biopolymers of polysaccharides can provide green and promising stabilizers as alternatives to the current toxic chemical stabilizers during ZnO NPs synthesis. The main idea in this investigation is to tune ZnO NPs with an appropriate texture, shape, and size for antibacterial application. So, this work compares the use of three different eco-friendly stabilizers namely starch, carboxymethyl cellulose, and hydroxyethyl cellulose as alternatives capping agents in the fabrication of ZnO NPs at various times. The optimized ZnO NPs sample was obtained using starch as the optimum stabilizer at reaction conditions of 0.5 h, room temperature (25 °C), 1:2) MZn:MNaOH) ratio and 1% (w/v) starch concentration. The optical, texture, and structural properties of prepared ZnO NPs were characterized by UV–Vis, DLS, zeta potential, FT-IR, and TEM techniques. ZnO NPs showed a mean zeta potential of −21.6 mV, explaining that they are moderately stable. The analysis by TEM confirmed that the NPs were spherical and have an average size of 23 nm. The antibacterial properties of ZnO NPs against Gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus epidermidis) and Gram-negative (Enterobacter cloacae and Escherichia coli) bacteria were evaluated based on the zone of inhibition (ZOI) values expressed in mm. The results showed promising performances for their antibacterial activity against the tested bacteria which indicated a strong antibacterial activity of ZnO NPs against B. subtilis, S. epidermidis, and E. cloacae with ZOI values of 17, 14 and 16 mm, respectively, and it showed moderate activity against E. coli (ZOI = 10 mm). The synthesis of biopolymer stabilized ZnO NPs by this approach could be eco-friendly and cost-effective and synthesized ZnO NPs can serve as promising antibacterial agents.

Green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using plant extracts have recently attracted considerable attention due to their environmental protection benefits and their easy and low cost of fabrication. In the current study, ZnO NPS were synthesized using the aqueous extract of Ochradenus arabicus as a capping and reducing agent. The obtained ZnO NPs were firstly characterized using ultraviolet visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray absorption (EDX), zeta potential, and zeta size. All these techniques confirmed the characteristic features of the biogenic synthesized ZnO NPs. Then, ZnO NPs were evaluated for their effects on morphological, biochemical, and physiological parameters of Salvia officinalis cultured in Murashige and Skoog medium containing 0, 75, 100, and 150 mM of NaCl. The results showed that ZnO NPs at a dose of 10 mg/L significantly increased the shoot number, shoot fresh weight, and shoot dry weight of Salvia officinalis subjected or not to the salt stress. For the shoot length, a slight increase of 4.3% was recorded in the plant treated by 150 mM NaCl+10 mg/L ZnO NPs compared to the plant treated only with 150 mM of NaCl. On the other hand, without NaCl, the application of both concentrations 10 mg/L and 30 mg/L of ZnO NPs significantly improved the total chlorophyll content by 30.3% and 21.8%, respectively. Under 150 mM of NaCl, the addition of 10 mg/L of ZnO NPs enhanced the total chlorophyll by 1.5 times, whilst a slight decrease of total chlorophyll was recorded in the plants treated by 150 mM NaCl + 30 mg/L ZnO NPs. Additionally, ZnO NPs significantly enhance the proline accumulation and the antioxidative enzyme activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione reductase (GR) in plants under salinity. Our findings revealed that green synthesized ZnO NPs, especially at a dose of 10 mg/L, play a crucial role in growth enhancement and salt stress mitigation. Hence, this biosynthesized ZnO NPs at a concentration of 10 mg/L can be considered as effective nanofertilizers for the plants grown in salty areas.

Background/Purpose This research project aims to create and test an eco-friendly method for producing zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using herbal extracts. The goal is to study how these nanoparticles can boost the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of sunscreens when used along with the synthetic UV filter octocrylene. Methods To make the ZnO NPs extracts from green tea, Bhringraj, Licorice and Cinnamon were used. These nanoparticles were analyzed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Sunscreen compositions were formulated as oil in water emulsions with or without octocrylene incorporating the ZnO NPs. Stability tests were carried out to monitor pH levels, colour and viscosity over the eight weeks at 45°C. The Sun Protection Factor study was done in vitro using a UV spectrophotometer. Results The results showed that formulations containing both ZnO NPs and octocrylene had SPF levels compared to using octocrylene or ZnO NPs alone. Around 1.4 to 1.65 times higher than octocrylene alone and 3.7 to 4.5 times higher than ZnO NPs alone. The stability study demonstrated changes in pH, viscosity and colour during storage. Conclusion: In conclusion eco-friendly production of ZnO NPs utilizing herbal extracts presents a sustainable alternative to traditional methods. When combined with octocrylene these nanoparticles significantly enhance the SPF of products. Conclusion In conclusion eco-friendly production of ZnO NPs utilizing herbal extracts presents a sustainable alternative to traditional methods. When combined with octocrylene these nanoparticles significantly enhance the SPF of products. This study introduces an eco-friendly approach, to creating high SPF sunscreens focusing on sustainability and addressing safety and environmental issues in sun care products. The rising demand for sunscreens has triggered the exploration of innovative methods for producing zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) that go beyond traditional chemical processes. The research exhibits a synthesis method for ZnO NPs using herbal extracts from green tea leaves, Bhringraj leaves, Liquorice roots and Cinnamon bark avoiding the use of harmful precursors. The results display dispersed ZnO NPs with an average size of 100 nm. Furthermore, the study investigates how these green synthesized ZnO NPs interact with the synthetic UV filter octocrylene to potentially enhance SPF in sunscreen formulations. By combining these components, the study shows an increase in SPF compared to using them individually. This study adds to the knowledge of how green synthesized ZnO NPs enhance efficacy of sunscreen products. This study also introduces an innovative approach, for creating eco-friendly effective sunscreens that could revolutionize sun protection methods.

Nanoparticles, smaller than 100 nm are synthesized by chemical and physical methods. Biological synthesis of nanoparticles is very popular in science recently. The aim of the study is green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using the lichen extract (Ramalina fraxinea) and investigating the cytotoxic effects of ZnO NPs on human neuroblastoma cells (SHSY-5Y). Despite the widespread use of ZnO NPs, a limited number of studies have investigated the neurobiological effects of ZnO NP. Therefore, we tested the neurotoxic effect of green synthesized ZnO NPs administration and its neuroprotective effect against hydrogen peroxide-induced cell damage on SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cell line. The absorbance peak of the ZnO NPs was detected by UV–visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) at 330 nm. The average diameter of ZnO NPs was measured as about 21 nm by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM) images. According to X-ray Diffraction (XRD) diagram, ZnO NPs were hexagonal in structure. The peaks observed in the Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) test showed functional groups in the structure of the nanoparticles. According to our results, ZnO NPs may have beneficial effects at the low concentrations while neurotoxic effects at the higher doses in SH-SY5Y. In addition, we indicate that hydrogen peroxide-induced cell death could not reverse by ZnO NPs and its higher doses potentiated the neurodegenerative effect of hydrogen peroxide. In conclusion, here we report that ZnO NPs, widely used in various products, may have beneficial or harmful effects in a dose-dependent manner and play a role in neuropsychiatric disease, especially neurodegenerative diseases. This is the first study dealing with neurotoxicity on SHSY-5Y of Ramalina fraxinea extract based ZnO NPs.

The green synthesis of ZnO NPs is becoming increasingly valued for its cost-effectiveness and environmental benefits. This study successfully synthesized hexagonal ZnO NPs using a combination of clove (Syzygium aromaticum) and Thymus capitatus extracts. The use of both extracts significantly improved the antibacterial and antioxidant properties of the ZnO NPs. By optimizing synthesis conditions, including ZnCl2 and extract concentrations, hexagonal wurtzite ZnO NPs were produced at room temperature with only drying at 80 °C without high-temperature annealing. The synthesized ZnO NPs exhibited a hexagonal morphology with an average particle size of 160 nm and a crystallite size of 30 nm. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) confirmed the elemental composition of the ZnO NPs, showing a high carbon content (63.9 wt.%), reflecting the presence of phytochemicals from the extracts coated the ZnO NPs surface. The UV-Vis spectrum revealed an absorption peak at 370 nm and a bandgap energy of 2.8 eV due to lattice defects caused by organic impurities. The ZnO NPs demonstrated exceptional antioxidant activity, with a DPPH radical scavenging rate of 95.2%. They also exhibited strong antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, with inhibition zones of 25 mm against Bacillus subtilis, 26 mm against Escherichia coli, 24 mm against Salmonella typhimurium, 22 mm against Klebsiella pneumoniae, 21 mm against Staphylococcus aureus, 20 mm against Staphylococcus hominis, and 18 mm against Bacillus subtilis at 200 ppm. Furthermore, significant antifungal activity was observed against Candida albicans, with an inhibition zone of 35 mm at the same concentration. These findings underscore the effectiveness of using combined plant extracts for producing ZnO NPs with controlled morphology and enhanced biological properties, highlighting their potential for various biomedical applications.

This study investigates the green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using aqueous extract from Asystasia gangetica (A. gangetica) flowers, emphasizing an eco‐friendly and sustainable approach. The synthesized ZnO NPs were characterized using XRD, SEM‐EDS, FT‐IR, and UV–visible spectroscopy. The A. gangetica extract and the ZnO NPs were further evaluated for their antibacterial activity. Characterization of the synthesized nanoparticles using XRD, SEM‐EDS, FT‐IR, and UV–vis, provided useful insights into ZnO NPs' purity, particle size, morphological structure, and high stability. The structure was found to be highly crystalline with an average crystallite size of 17–44 nm in diameter. ZnO photocatalyst had a significant absorption peak at 362 nm, which corresponds to an energy band gap of 3.43 eV, as determined by UV–vis spectral analysis. The ZnO NPs and aqueous extract exhibited significant antibacterial properties against multiple pathogens, with ZnO NPs showing superior efficacy, and statistically significant (p < 0.001) antibacterial activity when compared to both, the extract and the standard antibiotic, ampicillin. The antibacterial assay revealed that A. gangetica ZnO NPs (100 µg/mL) exhibited enhanced activity with inhibition zones ranging from 5 ± 0.1 mm to 6 ± 0.3 mm, compared to the aqueous extract which ranged from 2 ± 0.02 mm to 5 ± 0.21 mm. Although the standard antibiotic ampicillin (25 µg/mL) showed the highest activity (10 ± 0.18 mm to 12 ± 0.31 mm), the ZnO NPs demonstrated notable antibacterial potential, especially against B. subtilis, P. aeruginosa, and S. aureus. This research serves as a stepping stone for future studies, encouraging the utilization of green synthesis methods for the creation of functional nanoparticles with antibacterial potential against multidrug resistant bacteria. Further studies are warranted to establish the safety, efficiency, and mechanism of action of the ZnO NPs.

This study aimed to investigate the characterization of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) produced from Cucurbita pepo L. (pumpkin seeds) and their selective cytotoxic effectiveness on human colon cancer cells (HCT 116) and African Green Monkey Kidney, Vero cells. The study also investigated the antioxidant activity of ZnONPs. The study also examined ZnONPs' antioxidant properties. This was motivated by the limited research on the comparative cytotoxic effects of ZnO NPs on normal and HCT116 cells. The ZnO NPs were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Transmission Electron Microscope/Selected Area Electron Diffraction (TEM/SAED), and Scanning Electron Microscope-Energy Dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) for determination of chemical fingerprinting, heat stability, size, and morphology of the elements, respectively. Based on the results, ZnO NPs from pumpkins were found to be less than 5 μm and agglomerates in nature. Furthermore, the ZnO NPs fingerprinting and SEM-EDX element analysis were similar to previous literature, suggesting the sample was proven as ZnO NPs. The ZnO NPs also stable at a temperature of 380°C indicating that the green material is quite robust at 60-400°C. The cell viability of Vero cells and HCT 116 cell line were measured at two different time points (24 and 48 h) to assess the cytotoxicity effects of ZnO NP on these cells using AlamarBlue assay. Cytotoxic results have shown that ZnO NPs did not inhibit Vero cells but were slightly toxic to cancer cells, with a dose-response curve IC50 = ~409.7 μg/mL. This green synthesis of ZnO NPs was found to be non-toxic to normal cells but has a slight cytotoxicity effect on HCT 116 cells. A theoretical study used molecular docking to investigate nanoparticle interaction with cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), exploring its mechanism in inhibiting CDK2's role in cancer. Further study should be carried out to determine suitable concentrations for cytotoxicity studies. Additionally, DPPH has a significant antioxidant capacity, with an IC50 of 142.857 μg/mL. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Pumpkin seed extracts facilitated a rapid, high-yielding, and environmentally friendly synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles. Spectrophotometric analysis was used to investigate the optical properties, scalability, size, shape, dispersity, and stability of ZnO NPs. The cytotoxicity of ZnO NPs on Vero and HCT 116 cells was assessed, showing no inhibition of Vero cells and cytotoxicity of cancer cells. The DPPH assay was also used to investigate the antioxidant potential of biogenic nanoparticles. A molecular docking study was performed to investigate the interaction of ZnO NPs with CDK2 and to explore the mechanism by which they inhibit CDK2's role in cancer.

Evaluation of bi-functional applications of ZnO nanoparticles prepared by green and chemical methods

Novel synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles and their enhanced anticancer activity: Role of ZnO as a drug carrier

The growing interest in using plant extracts for the biogenic synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) stems from their facile, eco-friendly, and biologically safe approach instead of chemical routes. For the first time, ZnO NPs were successfully biosynthesized using Rhus coriaria fruit aqueous extract as a reducing and capping agent. Characterization revealed that the biosynthesized ZnO NPs possessed a maximum absorbance of approximately 359 nm and closely resembled the hexagonal ZnO wurtzite crystalline structure, with an average crystalline size of 16.69 nm. The transmission electron microscope (TEM) showed the presence of spherical and hexagonal morphologies, with an average grain size of 20.51 ± 3.90 nm. Moreover, the elemental composition of the synthesized ZnO NPs was assessed via energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX), and the presence of phytocompounds on their surface was subsequently verified through FT-IR analysis. The ζ-potential of ZnO NPs was recorded at − 19.9 ± 0.1663 mV. Regarding anti-cancer properties, ZnO NPs were found to possess potent anti-tumor effects on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Their efficacy was dose-dependent, with IC50 values ranging from 35.04–44.86 μg/mL for MCF-7 and 55.54–63.71 µg/mL for MDA-MB-231 cells. Mechanistic studies in MDA-MB-231 cells revealed apoptosis induction, validated by DAPI staining, confocal microscopy, and Annexin V/PI staining, showing apoptosis by 12.59% and 81.57% at ½ IC50 and IC50 values, respectively. Additionally, ZnO NPs were observed to provoke S-phase arrest and inhibit colony-forming and metastatic potential by modulating apoptosis and metastasis-related genes. This study unravels new insights into how ZnO NPs provoke cancer cell death and inhibit metastasis, revealing new prospects in cancer nanotechnology.