INFLUENCE OF PRECURSOR MOLARITY AND LEAF EXTRACT CONCENTRATION ON PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF ZINC OXIDE (ZnO) NANOPARTICLES SYNTHESIZED USING MORINGA OLEIFERA LEAF EXTRACT.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) exhibit optical, electrical, and magnetic properties depending on their size and morphology. These properties are essential for using ZnONPs in various fields such as cosmetics, electronics and medicine. The properties and applications of ZnONPs depend on how they are synthesized, whether physical, chemical, or biological. This study aimed to produce ZnONPs by utilizing the leaf extract of Moringa oleifera and to study the effect of precursor molarity and leaf extract concentration on physical properties. The precipitated compound was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), and Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDAX). Here, we prepared ZnONPs under four different molarity (0.2 M, 0.3 M 0.4 M, and 0.5 M) and two different leaf extract concentrations (10 ml, 15 ml). We analyzed the difference obtained in the average particle size in each case. From the XRD the major diffraction peaks are observed at 36.3, 47.53, 36.33, and 36 for 0.2 M, 0.3 M, 0.4 M, and 0.5 M, respectively. The average particle size was found to be in the range of 12–30 nm. UV study was used to inspect the optical nature of the prepared ZnONPs and SEM confirmed the sample's morphology. Investigations on the role of precursor molarity and leaf extract concentration in synthesizing ZnONPs indicated that average particle size increases with increasing precursor molarity and leaf extract concentration. The study also suggested that synthesizing metal oxide nanoparticles using botanical extract is an eco-friendly alternative to physical and chemical methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]