Green synthesis, characterization and antifungal and photocatalytic activity of Pithecellobium dulce peel-mediated ZnO nanoparticles

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by a conventional method using Pithecellobium duke peel extract. The phytochemicals present in the peel act as stabilizing agents. The ZnO NPs were characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The XRD pattern confirmed the formation of crystals, which exactly matched with JCPDS card no.36-1451. The nondestructive XRD pattern showed a hexagonal crystalline nature, and scanning electron microscopy revealed a spherical shape. Further, the ZnO NPs exhibited excellent photodegradation efficiency with regard to the dye methyleneblue (MB), a major water pollutant released by the textile industry. A kinetic study of photodegradation of MB showed 63% degradation and a rate constant of 0.00812 min(-1). The antifungal activity of the ZnO NPs resulted in 37.81% and 63.57% inhibition of the growth of Aspergillus flavus and 40.21% and 43.04% of growth inhibition of Aspergillus niger at 500 and 1000 ppm of. ZnO NPs, respectively.