Modified Approach Using Mentha arvensis in the Synthesis of ZnO Nanoparticles—Textural, Structural, and Photocatalytic Properties

Abstract

Zinc oxide arouses considerable interest since it has many applications—in microelectronics, environmental decontaminations, biomedicine, photocatalysis, corrosion, etc. The present investigation describes the green synthesis of nanosized ZnO particles using a low-cost, ecologically friendly approach compared to the classical methods, which are aimed at limiting their harmful effects on the environment. In this study, ZnO nanoparticles were prepared using an extract of Mentha arvensis (MA) leaves as a stabilizing/reducing agent, followed by hydrothermal treatment at 180 °C. The resulting powder samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) phase analysis, infrared spectroscopy (IRS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). The specific surface area and pore size distribution were measured by the Brunauer–Emmett–Taylor (BET) method. Electronic paramagnetic resonance spectra were recorded at room temperature and at 123 K by a JEOL JES-FA 100 EPR spectrometer. The intensity of the bands within the range of 400–1700 cm−1 for biosynthesized ZnO (BS-Zn) powders decreased with the increase in the Mentha arvensis extract concentration. Upon increasing the plant extract concentration, the relative proportion of mesopores in the BS-Zn samples also increased. It was established that the photocatalytic performance of the biosynthesized powders was dependent on the MA concentration in the precursor solution. According to EPR and PL analyses, it was proved that there was a presence of singly ionized oxygen vacancies (V0+) and zinc interstitials (Zni). The use of the plant extract led to changes in the morphology, phase composition, and structure of the ZnO particles, which were responsible for the increased photocatalytic rate of discoloration of Malachite Green dye.

Antibacterial and Photodegradation of Organic Dyes Using Lamiaceae-Mediated ZnO Nanoparticles: A Review

“…The presence of biomolecule-capping agents from the plants was also attributed as the reason for the improved photodegradation of Malachite green using Mentha arvensismediated ZnO NPs reported by Stoyanova et al [81]. A 74% discolouration was reported for M. arvensis-mediated ZnO NPs compared to 45% for bare ZnO NPs under UV irradiation for 120 min.…”

“…The mixture was irradiated in a microwave at 2.45 GHz and 1000 W. A light brown precipitate was obtained and centrifuged at 5000 rounds per minute (rpm) for 8 min. This was followed by cycles of washing the precipitate with ethanol and distilled water and finally drying it in the oven at 60 • C for 24 h. In another study, Stoyanova and associates [81] reported hydrothermally synthesised Mentha arvensis-mediated ZnO NPs. The method involved adding a solution of 0.2 M Zn(CH 3 COO) 2 •2H 2 O and 0.6 M urea at pH 8 to varied extract concentrations of M. arvensis and stirring at 200 rpm.…”

Utilizing Cymbopogon Proximus Grass Extract for Green Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanorod Needles in Dye Degradation Studies

“…These values correspond to specific lattice planes, denoted by their Miller indices, including (100), (002), (101), (110), (102), (103), (201), (203), and (311) (COD 2300113). The sharp and well-defined nature of these diffraction peaks is indicative of the high crystalline quality of the material [ 38 ]. Notably, there are very small discernible peaks (at 39° and 42°) associated with possible dust contaminants [ 39 , 40 ], indicating synthesis of pure ZnO-NRNs.…”

From Nature to Technology: Exploring the Potential of Plant-Based Materials and Modified Plants in Biomimetics, Bionics, and Green Innovations

“…Stoyanova et al, reported the green synthesis of nanosized ZnO particles using an extract of Mentha arvensis leaves as a stabilizing/reducing agent, followed by hydrothermal treatment at 180 °C [53]. The obtained ZnO NPs presented photocatalytic activity for the degradation of Malachite Green dye.…”