High optoelectronic and antimicrobial performances of green synthesized ZnO nanoparticles using Aesculus hippocastanum

Nanosized materials are of increasing interest due to their optical and electrical properties. In particular, the semiconductor ZnO has a wide band gap of 3.3 eV, which is abundant in nature and is eco-friendly. Green synthesis of nanomaterials is simple, non-toxic and adapted to large-scale production. Here we synthesized ZnO nanoparticles using the fruit shell extract of horse chestnut, Aesculus hippocastanum. ZnO nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission-scanning electron microscopy. XRD patterns were indexed on the basis of an hexagonal structure, and the pattern indicates high crystalline quality with very well-defined high intensity peaks. The grain sizes ranged between 50 and 100 nm. Ultraviolet-visible data show that ZnO nanoparticles have a high optical transparency of 70-86%. In addition, the bactericidal effect of ZnO nanoparticles was observed against Bacillus thuringiensis.