Antibacterial and Photocatalytic Properties of ZnO Nanoparticles Obtained from Chemical versus <i>Saponaria officinalis</i> Extract-Mediated Synthesis

In the present work, the properties of ZnO nanoparticles obtained using an eco-friendly synthesis (biomediated methods in microwave irradiation) were studied. <i>Saponaria officinalis</i> extracts were used as both reducing and capping agents in the green nanochemistry synthesis of ZnO....

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Main Authors: Maria Antonia Tănase, Maria Marinescu, Petruta Oancea, Adina Răducan, Catalin Ionut Mihaescu, Elvira Alexandrescu, Cristina Lavinia Nistor, Luiza-Izabela Jinga, Lia Mara Diţu, Cristian Petcu, Ludmila Otilia Cinteza
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-04-01
Series:Molecules
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/7/2072
Description
Summary:In the present work, the properties of ZnO nanoparticles obtained using an eco-friendly synthesis (biomediated methods in microwave irradiation) were studied. <i>Saponaria officinalis</i> extracts were used as both reducing and capping agents in the green nanochemistry synthesis of ZnO. Inorganic zinc oxide nanopowders were successfully prepared by a modified hydrothermal method and plant extract-mediated method. The influence of microwave irradiation was studied in both cases. The size, composition, crystallinity and morphology of inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) were investigated using dynamic light scattering (DLS), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), SEM-EDX microscopy. Tunings of the nanochemistry reaction conditions (Zn precursor, structuring agent), ZnO NPs with various shapes were obtained, from quasi-spherical to flower-like. The optical properties and photocatalytic activity (degradation of methylene blue as model compound) were also investigated. ZnO nanopowders’ antibacterial activity was tested against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains to evidence the influence of the vegetal extract-mediated synthesis on the biological activity.
ISSN:1420-3049