Pooja Choudhary, Dinesh Arora, Vishwajit Hooda, Sunder Singh Arya and Sunil Kumar
Abstract
Zinc oxide nanoparticles have garnered considerable attention for their unique properties and diverse applications in medicine, agriculture, and the environment. This study aims to assess the structural and optical properties of Zinc oxide nanoparticles synthesized by green and chemical methods using Banana peel extract and zinc acetate as precursors. Zinc oxide nanoparticles were synthesized using the coprecipitation method. Nanoparticles were characterized using zeta potential, UVâVisible spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy-Dispersive X-ray analysis, and X-ray diffraction. UVâvis spectra showed absorption peaks at ~347 nm (green) and ~356 nm (chemical), indicating high excitation binding energy. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy confirmed the presence of ZnâO stretching and vibration, while Scanning Electron Microscopy revealed distinct nanorod and nanosphere morphologies. The green-synthesized nanoparticles ranged from 34â59 nm, whereas the chemically synthesized ones measured 13â50 nm. Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis confirmed high elemental purity, and X-ray diffraction demonstrated a hexagonal wurtzite crystalline structure for both samples. Chemically synthesized Zinc oxide nanoparticles offer greater uniformity for applications requiring precise and consistent particle characteristics, while green synthesis is eco-friendly, reducing energy use and minimizing by-product formation, thereby promoting environmentally sustainable practices. The findings of this study demonstrate an eco-friendly approach for the synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles, facilitating their potential application in sustainable industrial and biomedical practices.