Enhanced photocatalytic activity of St-ZnO nanorods for methylene blue dye degradation

In this study, zinc oxide (St-ZnO) nanorods were synthesized using the leaf extract of Solanum trilobactum plant. The physicochemical properties of the fabricated St-ZnO nanorods were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray diffractometer (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Field-Emission-Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), and UV–Visible spectral analysis. These nanorods were subjected under sunlight irradiation to study their photocatalytic property against methylene blue (MB) dye. The dye degradation efficiency of St-ZnO nanorods was calculated to be more than 90% after 45 min of sunlight irradiation. Also, in the experimental recycling study, St-ZnO nanorods were very stable and reusable. © 2021 Elsevier B.V.