Carpogenic ZnO nanoparticles: amplified nanophotocatalytic and antimicrobial action

• Published in: IET nanobiotechnology 2019-04, Vol.13 (2), p.150-159
• Main Authors: Ahmad, Khuram Shahzad, Bibi Jaffri, Shaan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anti-Infective Agents - chemistry; Anti-Infective Agents - pharmacology; antibacterial activity; antimicrobial action; antimicrobial inhibition; Aspergillus flavus; Aspergillus niger; Aspergillus terreus; Azo Compounds - chemistry; Azo Compounds - metabolism; Bacteria - drug effects; biomimetics; calcination; carpogenic nanoparticles; catalysis; chromatography; electron volt energy 3.4 eV; environmental remediation; environmental resource; Fourier transform spectra; gas chromatography; green chemistry; Green Chemistry Technology; green synthesis; hexagonal wurtzite geometry; infrared spectra; mass spectrometry; Metal Nanoparticles - chemistry; microorganisms; nanobiotechnology; nanocomposites; nanofabrication; nanoparticles; nanophotocatalytic action; Particle Size; photocatalytic inhibition; photochemistry; phytochemicals; Plant Extracts - chemistry; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; prunus cerasifera seed; Prunus domestica - chemistry; pseudofirst‐order degradation kinetics; Research Article; scanning electron microscopy; size 5.62 nm; size 56.57 nm to 107.7 nm; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; time 18.0 min; transmission electron microscopy; ultraviolet spectra; variable calcination temperatures; visible spectra; X-Ray Diffraction; X‐ray powder diffraction; zinc compounds; Zinc Oxide - chemistry; Zinc Oxide - pharmacology; ZnO
• ISSN: 1751-8741; 1751-875X; 1751-875X
• DOI: 10.1049/iet-nbt.2018.5006

This investigation has for the first time utilised environmental resource Prunus cerasifera seed extract phytochemicals for the green synthesis of carpogenic ZnO nanoparticles (NPs). Spherical morphology and size range of 56.57–107.70 nm at variable calcination temperatures without the use of any external reducing agent was obtained. The synthesised NPs exhibited hexagonal wurtzite geometry with an average crystal size 5.62 nm and a band gap of 3.4 eV. Carpogenic NPs were investigated for optical, compositional, morphological, and phytochemical make up via ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV–Vis), Fourier transform infrared analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Carpogenic NPs degraded methyl red up to 83% with pseudo-first-order degradation kinetics (R2 = 0.88) in 18 min signifying their remediation role in environment in conformity with all principles of green chemistry. Photocatalytic assays were performed in direct solar irradiance. Nine pathogens of biomedical and agricultural significance having multi-drug resistance were inhibited in vitro via the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion assay. The enhanced photocatalytic and antimicrobial inhibition not only makes carpogenic ZnO NPs a future photo-degradative candidate for environmental remediation but also a nanofertiliser, nanofungicide, and nanobactericide synthesised via bioinspired, biomimetic, green, and unprecedented route.