Green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using the aqueous extract of Euphorbia petiolata and study of its stability and antibacterial properties

Abstract

Through this study for the first time the biosynthesis, identification, stability and antibacterial activity of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) was studied using the Euphorbia petiolata Banks aqueous extract as a reducing and stabilizing media during a simple and green method. Interaction of plant extract with the aqueous mixture of zinc nitrate and the oxidation via annealing process efficiently caused the reduction of the Zn ions and formation of zinc oxide nanoparticles. The stability, purity and crystalline nature of green synthesized nanoparticles was demonstrated using Uv-vis spectroscopy, EDS and XRD techniques, respectively. Also, the scheme of possible mechanism leading to the formation of NPs was illustrated. Moreover, the efficient antibacterial ability of green synthesized nanoparticles against Escherichia coli was demonstrated compared to the plant extract and chloramphenicol as positive control.