Eur. Phys. J. Plus (2015) 130: 109
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/i2015-15109-2

Regular Article

Beta vulgaris aided green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles and their luminescence, photocatalytic and antioxidant properties

¹ Department of Studies and Research in Biochemistry, Tumkur University, Tumakuru, 572103, Karnataka, India
² Department of Studies and Research in Chemistry, Tumkur University, Tumakuru, 572103, Karnataka, India
³ Prof. C. N. R. Rao Centre for Advanced Materials, Tumkur University, Tumakuru, 572103, Karnataka, India
⁴ Dayananda Sagar University, Shavige Malleshwara Hills, Kumaraswamy layout, Bengaluru, 560078, Karnataka, India

^* e-mail: pbdsuresh@gmail.com

Received: 9 March 2015
Revised: 19 April 2015
Accepted: 12 May 2015
Published online: 10 June 2015

Abstract

Multifunctional zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO Nps) were synthesized by solution combustion synthesis using beetroots (Beta vulgaris). The structure and morphology of the product were studied by powder X-ray diffraction, UV-visible spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. XRD studies indicate the formation of Nps with hexagonal wurtzite structure having crystallite sizes in the range of ∼ 52–76 nm. The UV-visible spectrum of Nps shows maximum absorption at 373 nm. The SEM analysis indicates the formation of porous, sponge-like agglomerated structures. Very interesting room temperature luminescence phenomena were observed with violet, green and red emissions upon exciting the ZnO Nps at 378 nm. This phenomenon could be due to oxygen vacancy and ZnO interstitial defects. ZnO Nps effectively degrade malachite green (MG) and methylene blue (MB) dyes in the presence of UV light. Nps show good antioxidant activity by scavenging 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals. The study successfully demonstrates simple, economical and ecofriendly methods of synthesis of multifunctional ZnO Nps. Nps may be used as good color tunable phosphor materials. The method demonstrated in this study is suggested as an effective replacement for the hazardous chemical methods of production of zinc oxide nanoparticles.