Green synthesis and characterization of zinc oxide nanoparticles from Ocimum basilicum L. var. purpurascens Benth.-Lamiaceae leaf extract

Green Nanotechnology for nanoparticle synthesis using plants is gaining considerable interest among researchers as an eco-friendly alternative to conventional physical and chemical methods as this approach eliminates the use of toxic chemicals. The present study reports the synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) using Ocimum basilicum L. var. purpurascens Benth.-Lamiaceae leaf extract and zinc nitrate. Hexagonal (wurtzite) shaped ZnO-NPs with size about 50 nm were synthesized and characterized using XRD, TEM and EDX analysis. (C) 2014 Published by Elsevier B.V.