ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles from Rhododendron arboreum extract and their potential applications in photocatalytic degradation of cationic dyes malachite green and Fuchsin basic dye

Tanuj, Rajesh Kumar, Santosh Kumar, Neerja Kalra, Subhash Sharma, and Amritpal Singh

Department of Chemistry, Himachal Pradesh University, Summerhill, Shimla, India

E-mail: krajeshdhiman@gmail.com

Received: 17 May 2023  Accepted: 2 July 2023

Abstract:

Hereby, in this paper, we have reported synthesis of uniform spherical-shaped nanoparticles of zinc oxide via green method, as well as their photocatalytic activity. The nanoparticles of zinc oxide were synthesized utilizing flower extract of Rhododendron arboreum where it performs the function of reducing as well as capping agent. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by numerous spectroscopic techniques such as UV–Vis and FT-IR. Scanning electron microscope analysis of product revealed spherical zinc oxide nanoparticles. Energy-dispersive spectral analysis indicated elemental composition, i.e., oxygen and zinc. The green synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles have been employed as nanocatalyst for photocatalytic degradation of two cationic dyes, i.e., Fuchsin basic and Malachite green dye. In addition, various physicochemical parameters such as effect of the dye concentration, catalyst dosage and pH have also been optimized indicating better performance of these nanoparticles. Zinc oxide nanoparticles showed 99.18% degradation of Malachite green dye and 99.272% degradation of Fuchsin basic dye. These nanoparticles have great potential candidate as developing catalyst for selective degradation of cationic dyes.

Keywords: Green chemistry; Zinc oxide nanoparticles; Rhododendron arboreum; Photocatalysis; Dye degradation

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-023-02960-8

Chemical Papers 77 (11) 6583–6604 (2023)