Vitex negundo leaf extract mediated synthesis of ZnO nanoplates and its antibacterial and photocatalytic activities

The ZnO nanocrystals were prepared using vitex negundo leaf extract via a simple green method. The confirmation of ZnO formation was carried out by UV–Vis-diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS). The prepared nanocrystals were further characterized by photoluminescence (PL), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The FE-SEM results confirmed that the ZnO nanoparticles were nanosize. To assess the photocatalytic activities of ZnO nanocrystals, the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under UV radiation was analyzed. In addition, the antibacterial activities of synthesized ZnO nanoparticles were screened against the S. aureus, S. paratyphi, V. cholerae, and E. coli. © 2019, Sami Publishing Company. All rights reserved.