Green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using leaf extract of neem (Azadirachta indica L.) and their characterization

Plant mediated or green synthesis has emerged as one of the most widely adopted approaches in nanotechnology. Many tropical plant species possess medicinal properties that are closely associated with the synthesis of metallic nanoparticles using plant-derived biomolecules. Nanoparticles are extensively utilized due to their extremely small size, orientation, and unique physiochemical properties which can significantly alter the performance of materials with which they interact. Nanoparticles can be synthesized using different physical, chemical, and biological methods. Green synthesis offers a simple, environment friendly, and sustainable approch. In the present study, green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles was carried out by using neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf extract with a zinc acetate solution. The aqueous plant extract served multiple functions by acting as a solvent, reducing agent, stabilizer, and capping agent during nanoparticle synthesis. The synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles were subsequently characterized for their optical properties, particle size, functional groups, and crystalline structure using UV-Visible spectrophotometry, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD), respectively.