Facile green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs): antibacterial and photocatalytic activities

The objective of this study was carried out to exhibit a novel, cost-effective, non-toxic and green way to prepare ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) using Laurus nobilis plant extract as both reducing and capping agents without any hazardous material. X-ray diffraction analysis also confirmed that the synthesized NPs has Wurtzite hexagonal structure with an average crystalline size between 20 and 35 nm. The extract was found to contain reducing components such as polyphenols (22.5%) and flavonoids (21%). The ZnO NPs was characterized by a peak 375 nm in the UV-Vis spectrum. In addition, FTIR results provided the presence of both, leaf extract and ZnO NPs. The antibacterial activity of ZnO NPs was investigated against Escherichia coli using an agar dilution method. The minimal inhibitory concentration value of the ZnO nanoparticles was found to be 1200 mu g ml(-1) for E. coli. As a result, the biosynthesized ZnO NPs indicated a great promise for applications in a large area of biomedical applications as a kind of antibacterial material. The biosynthesized ZnO NPs also conducted successful photocatalytic activity as much as commercial ZnO powders under the UV light using the textile dye, Remazol Brilliant Red F3B (Reactive Red 180 (RR180)) solutions. We found an excellent degradation percentage (99%) within a short time (60 min). Plant extract was suggested as an essential bioresource of producing ZnO NPs.