Green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles: A trifecta of antioxidant, antifungal, and catalytic excellence

Abstract

In this study, green synthesis methods were employed to fabricate zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) using Newbouldia laevis leaves plant extract. Several analytical methods, including Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and UV-Vis spectrophotometer, were used to characterise the green synthesised ZnONPs. The synthesis of ZnONPs with distinct properties was successfully demonstrated by the structural and morphological investigations. The existence of functional groups involved in the stabilisation and reduction of the nanoparticles was established by FTIR. The shape of the nanoparticles was revealed by TEM. It produced non-spherical particles with a well-defined size distribution, a crystalline structure with a hexagonal shape morphology, and an average nanoparticle size of 34.8 nm. The ZnONPs that were green-synthesised demonstrated unique antioxidant characteristics. The findings showed that the ZnONPs’ capacity to scavenge radicals increased in a concentration-dependent manner. Excellent antifungal activities against Trichophyton rubrum, Aspergilus fumigatus, and Candida albicans were also demonstrated by the synthesised ZnONPs. This suggests that at 100, 200, and 400 mg/mL, the environmentally friendly ZnONPs show inhibitory zones that range from 9 to 18 mm. The use green synthesized ZnO NPs have shown excellent antifungal, antioxidant and photocatalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol under sunlight. Green synthesis, zinc oxide nanoparticles, 4-ntrophenol, Trichophyton rubrum.