Microwave assisted synthesis of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles in a noble approach: utilization for antibacterial and photocatalytic activity

In this study, zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticle was synthesized by a novel route of microwave assisted method using ascorbic acid and PVA as capping agent and stabilizing agent. A prominent peak at 378 nm by UV absorption ensured the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles. The crystalline property revealed that synthesized ZnO nanoparticle is highly crystalline having wurtzite structure. A significant band at ~ 498 to 557 cm−1 in FTIR was assigned to the characteristic stretching mode of Zn–O bond. EDX spectrum showed that ZnO nano particles were composed only with Zinc and oxygen. SEM image disclosed that ZnO nanoparticles were spherical in shape with an average particle size of 70–90 nm for the combined effect. The antimicrobial and ant-biofilm application of synthesized ZnO nanoparticle was studied against Salmonella typhi, Klebsiella spp. SK4, E. coli RN89, E. coli (gram-negative) and S. aureus-8a (gram-positive) bacteria and exhibited excellent activity against the strains. Prepared nanoparticle also found to possess outstanding photocatalytic activity against methylene blue degradation under sunlight with a T50 and T80 value of 71.44 and 165.87 min respectively.