Facile and green synthesis of zinc oxide particles by Stevia Rebaudiana and its in vitro photocatalytic activity

Abstract

Stevia rebaudiana leaves is a well-known medicinal plant for its non-caloric bio-sweetener. To enhance its value addition, employed first time for synthesis and stabilization of ZnO nanoparticles. The characterization using UV-Spec, FE-TEM, XRD, DLS revealed that SR-ZnO (ZnO particles obtained from S. rebaudiana) were flower-shape, 500–1,000 nm sizes, hydrodynamic diameter Z-average of polydisperse SR-ZnO was 582.35 ± 52.40 nm with a PDI of 0.33 ± 0.002. Furthermore, 76% degradation of methylene blue dye within 30 min exposure to SR-ZnO and plant extract under UV light indicates that it could be utilized as an efficient photocatalyst for wastewater treatment.

Keywords:

• Green synthesis
• ZnO particles
• Stevia rebaudiana
• medicinal plant
• photocatalyst
• methylene blue

Declaration of interest

The authors report no declarations of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the grant from Korea Institute of Planning & Evaluation for Technology in Food, Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries (KIPET NO: 317007-3) Republic of Korea.