ZnS nanoparticles prepared by Prunus persica leaf extract: Morphological, optical and electrical properties

Abstract

As compared to conventional physical and chemical techniques, the biological method (green synthesis) is an economical, nontoxic, fast, eco-friendly and cost-effective technique that utilizes plant extract to generate highly stable and biocompatible nanoparticles. The existing study focuses on the synthesis of zinc sulphide nanoparticles (ZnS NPs) using P. persica leaf extract which is used as a reducing agent and their associated properties. The prepared samples were examined in terms of structural, optical, morphological and compositional properties. The SEM images showed the agglomerated spherical particles while XRD spectra confirmed the hexagonal (wurtzite) phase of synthesized ZnS samples with average crystallite sizes found to vary from 12.45 to 14.36[Formula: see text]nm. The optical absorption spectra displayed the absorption peaks at 331[Formula: see text]nm (4.26[Formula: see text]eV) and 339[Formula: see text]nm (4.10[Formula: see text]eV). This blue shift in the absorption band suggests the formation of ZnS NPs compared with bulk ZnS ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]eV) material. The FTIR peaks from 612– to 630[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text] and 860– to 1022[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text] are because of the symmetric bending vibrations of the Zn–S bands. Electrical measurements showed that the resistivity is found to be decreasing with increasing temperature, signifying the semiconducting behavior of the synthesized ZnS NPs. The findings of this study suggest the feasible use of P. persica leaves extract for the production of ZnS NPs which could be utilized as multifunctional material in medical applications, biosensors, photocatalytic and electrical applications.