Abstract:
This study investigated the synthesis and characterization of ZnO NPs using different
concentrations of orange fruit peel extraction. To reduce and stabilize, an aqueous medium
containing extracts of orange peel was used. In the phytochemical study of orange peel extract,
the results indicated the presence of phytochemicals such as flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins,
glycosides, and phenolic compounds in the peel extract, which were confirmed by different
screening tests. The decrease in conductivity observed during the synthesis process provided the
initial evidence for the formation of ZnO NPs. The synthesized ZnO NPs were characterized
using UV-Vis, FT-IR, XRD, SEM, EDX, and TGA techniques. The UV-Visible spectra of ZnO
NPs prepared with varying concentrations of a reducing agent (0.5:2, 0.75:2, 1:2, and 2:2
ratios) were characterized to understand their optical properties. Each sample exhibited
pronounced absorption peaks at wavelengths of 369.5, 372, 374, and 377 nm. These peaks
correspond to band gap energies of 3.37, 3.34, 3.33, and 3.31 eV for the corresponding ZnO NPs
samples. The optical band gap values decreased from 3.37 to 3.31 eV as the concentration of
orange peel extract increased. FTIR spectroscopy was employed to characterize the functional
groups present in the synthesized ZnO NPs. This analysis also revealed a Zn-O bonding
absorption peak between 400 and 500 cm-1
. The structural properties were characterized by
XRD. Based on the Debye-Scherer formula, ZnO NPs crystal size was determined to be 19.2 nm.
TGA confirmed the presence of phytochemicals acting as capping agents, and the synthesized
ZnO NPs exhibited thermal stability exceeding 670°C. The surface morphology of the ZnO NPs
was characterized using a SEM. The spherical morphology of the ZnO NPs was confirmed by
SEM imaging. The elemental composition of ZnO NPs was evaluated by EDX analysis of only
zinc and oxygen, confirming the purity of the ZnO NPs sample.