Green Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles for Broad Applications

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from the University of Dhaka have published a study on the green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using microwave irradiation. The method utilizes starch and D-glucose as capping and reducing agents, offering an eco-friendly alternative to traditional synthesis methods. The researchers characterized the nanoparticles using various instrumental methods and demonstrated their antibacterial and anti-biofilm properties, as well as their photocatalytic activity.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study reports a novel method for the green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using microwave irradiation, which offers an eco-friendly alternative to traditional synthesis methods.
  • The researchers used starch and D-glucose as capping and reducing agents to synthesize the nanoparticles, which were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, XRD, EDX, and FE-SEM.
  • The synthesized ZnO nanoparticles exhibited near-spherical morphology and a particle size range of 40-90 nm, with a characteristic peak at 373 nm in the UV-Vis absorption spectrum.
  • The nanoparticles demonstrated antibacterial and anti-biofilm properties, inhibiting the growth of Gram-negative bacteria (S. typhi, Klebsiella spp., E. coli) and Gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus) with inhibition zones of 11 mm, 12 mm, 11.5 mm, and 13.5 mm, respectively.
  • The researchers also demonstrated the photocatalytic activity of the ZnO nanoparticles against methylene blue dye solution, indicating their potential for applications in textile, agriculture, and medical sectors.
  • The study suggests that the easy and eco-friendly fabrication method could play a vital role in the synthesis of other nanoparticles to meet the demand in various industries.

Statistics:

  • The researchers reported a crystallite size of 24.41 nm obtained from XRD analysis of the prepared ZnO nanoparticles.
  • FE-SEM images showed a near-spherical morphology and particle size range of 40-90 nm for the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles.
  • The synthesized ZnO nanoparticles demonstrated inhibition zones of 11 mm, 12 mm, 11.5 mm, and 13.5 mm against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria (S. typhi, Klebsiella spp., E. coli, and S. aureus, respectively).
  • The researchers demonstrated the photocatalytic activity of the ZnO nanoparticles against methylene blue dye solution, with a degradation of 90% after 2 hours under UV light irradiation.

Sources:

  • Microwave assisted starch stabilized green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles for antibacterial and photocatalytic applications. Scientific Reports, 2025;15(1):28288.
  • NewsRx. Researchers from University of Dhaka Discuss Findings in Green Synthesis (Microwave assisted starch stabilized green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles for antibacterial and photocatalytic applications). Biotech Week. August 20, 2025; p 619.