Authors : Arvind B Golipalle; S. K. Nimbal; Savita Desai

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 7 - July

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/3ntshc9t

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25jul231

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Note : Google Scholar may take 30 to 40 days to display the article.

Abstract : This study presents an eco-friendly approach for synthesizing zinc ox- ide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using Azadirachta indica (neem) leaf extract as a natural reducing and stabilizing agent. The green synthesis method offers a sustainable alternative to conventional chemical synthesis routes that often involve hazardous substances and high energy consumption. Fresh neem leaves were processed to prepare an aqueous extract, which was then reacted with zinc nitrate hexahydrate, followed by calcination at 400°C for 2 hours. The synthesized nanoparticles were comprehen- sively characterized using UV-visible spectrophotometry, scanning elec- tron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results confirmed the formation of spherical ZnO nanoparticles with sizes ranging from 20- 40 nm. UV-visible analysis revealed characteristic absorption peaks at 273.0 nm and 360.5 nm, confirming the successful synthesis of ZnO NPs. The antibacterial evaluation demonstrated significant inhibitory effects against both Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria, with inhibition zones of 15 mm and 12 mm, respectively. Additionally, the nanoparticles exhibited excellent photo- catalytic activity, achieving approximately 75% degradation of methylene blue dye under UV irradiation within 120 minutes. This green synthesis approach eliminates the use of toxic chemicals, operates under mild condi- tions, and produces multifunctional nanoparticles suitable for applications in antimicrobial treatments, environmental remediation, and sustainable agriculture. Green synthesis Zinc oxide nanoparticles Neem extract antimicrobial activity Photocatalytic degradation Sustainable nanotechnology.

Keywords : Azadirachta Indica, Nanoparticles, Green Synthesis ̧ Zinc Oxide, Antimicrobial Activity.

References :

1. Elumalai, K., Velmurugan, S.: Green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparti- cles using Azadirachta indica leaf extract. Spectrochim. Acta Part A Mol. Biomol. Spectrosc. 139, 164–170 (2015)
2. Bhuyan, T., Mishra, M.R.R., Khanuja, S., Ghosh, D., Das, L.R.: Green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using Azadirachta indica leaf extract and its antibacterial activity. J. Photochem. Photobiol. B Biol. 145, 1–6 (2015)
3. Rehana, D., Mahendiran, R., Kumar, A., Rahiman, A.K.: Evaluation of antioxidant and anticancer activity of copper oxide nanoparticles synthe- sized using medicinally important plant extracts. Biomed. Pharmacother. 89, 1067–1077 (2017)
4. Sharma, D., Rajput, P., Kaithwas, M., Bhatt, A.S.: Green synthesis and catalytic applications of zinc oxide nanoparticles using Azadirachta indica leaf extract. Environ. Nanotechnol. Monit. Manag. 13, 100267 (2020)
5. Chitra, K., Annadurai, G.: Antibacterial activity of pH-dependent biosyn- thesized silver nanoparticles against clinical pathogens. Int. J. Nanomed. 9, 379–388 (2014)
6. Sundrarajan, M., Vishnu, S., Ramesh, R.: Antibacterial activity of biolog- ical synthesized ZnO nanoparticles using Pongamia pinnata leaf extract. J. Photochem. Photobiol. B Biol. 146, 10–14 (2015)
7. Badr, G., Alghamdi, M., Korany, A.: Olive leaf extract-mediated biosyn- thesis of silver nanoparticles: characterization and antibacterial activity. Int. J. Nanomed. 12, 7313–7324 (2017)
8. Jamdagni, P., Khatri, P., Rana, J.S.: Green synthesis of zinc oxide nanopar- ticles using flower extract of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis and their antifungal activity. J. King Saud Univ. Sci. 30(2), 168–175 (2018)
9. Shekhawat, M., Saini, S., Sharma, P.: Green synthesis of silver nanopar- ticles using Cardiospermum halicacabum L. extract and evaluation of their antimicrobial and phytotoxicity activities. Mater. Lett. 234, 361–364 (2019)
10. Kumar, V., Yadav, R., Singh, S.: Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Prunus persica plant extract and its applications: a rapid approach. Mater. Res. Express 7(1), 015012 (2020)