Green Synthesis and characterization of zinc oxcide nanoparticles

Abstract

The main purpose of this work is the biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles with a green approach using aloe vera extracts. The process used is low-cost and environmentally friendly with no waste. The recovered ZnO powder was calcined at temperatures of 400°C and 500°C for 2h and 4h. ZnO nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The XRD diffractograms revealed a zincite structure of ZnO with nanometric size. The average crystallite size is 44.5 nm. FTIR spectra confirm the presence of secondary metabolites within the extract and show the chemical groups present in the synthesized material. SEM images show ZnO nanoparticles of different shapes, such as ZnO nanosheets with well-defined particle boundaries and nanosized nanowires with particle agglomeration. The elemental composition of ZnO NPs analyzed by EDX revealed the presence of zinc, and oxygen, confirming the formation of ZnO nanoparticles and other minerals in the aqueous plant extract. keywords: ZnO nanoparticles, Aloe Vera, green synthesis