Green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles via Agathosma betulina natural extract

This contribution reports on the synthesis and the main physical properties of ZnO nanoparticles synthesized for the first time by a completely green process using Agathosma betulina plant extract as an effective chelating agent. The surface/interface and volume room temperature properties of these quasi-spherical 15.8 nm in size ZnO nanoparticle by transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy, X-rays diffraction, attenuated total reflection IR and Raman spectroscopy are reported. Likewise, a spark sintered pellet made of such nanoparticles exhibited a significant nonlinear current-voltage exponential response characteristic of a varistor. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.