Evaluation of photocatalytic and corrosion properties of green synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were prepared from Neem plant extracts using the green synthesis method. The single-phase formation of the compound without any impurities was observed from the X-ray diffraction studies. The presence of spherical-shaped ZnO nanoparticles within the size range of 23-40 nm was observed from SEM micrographs and EDX, revealing 63.34% zinc and 36.66% oxygen. DLS studies showed the average particle size of the prepared sample to be around 27.81 nm at the d(50) range. The prepared material had an optical bandgap of around 3.24 eV. The photodegradation studies proved the better photocatalytic behavior of the prepared sample. Corrosion studies revealed that the prepared ZnO nanoparticles were less corrosive in comparison with zinc plates.

Automated summary

Zinc oxide nanoparticles were successfully synthesized from Neem plant extracts using a green synthesis method. The nanoparticles exhibited spherical shape and showed excellent photocatalytic behavior and low corrosion.