Synthesis of SnO2 nanoparticles using extracts from Litsea cubeba fruits

A biological synthesis of SnO2 nanoparticles (NPs) was carried out using the extract from Litsea cubeba fruit with extraction parameters optimized for yield enhancement. The SnO2 nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), Fourier transform infrared analysis (FTIR) and UV-Visible spectroscopy. The synthesized SnO2 nanoparticles have an irregular morphology and are approximately 30 nm in size. The results show that the extract of Litsea cubeba fruits was a reducing agent. In addition, SnO2 NPs not only have good photocatalytic activity for Congo red dye degradation but also have high antioxidant capacity against DPPH free radicals. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.