Bio-Assisted Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles from Mimosa pudica Aqueous Leave Extract: Structure and Antibacterial Activity

This study reported a novel synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles from Mimosa pudica leaves aqueous extract and a chemical method. Synthesis conditions were optimized for the maximum range synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles. Mimosa pudica aqueous leaf extract successfully synthesized zinc oxide with a mild bio-stabilizing effect. The resultant powder was characterized using various analytical techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), UV-visible spectrometry and Infra-red spectroscopy. Antibacterial activity of the ZnO nanopowder was also carried out. Zinc Oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) from the green route exhibited a slightly lower zone of inhibition of microorganisms than ZnO NPs from the chemical route because of their proximity in size. The SEM report showed that greenly synthesized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles (GZP) were rod-like while chemically synthesized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles (CZP) were dumbbell in shape with sizes 101.8 nm and 100.9 nm, respectively.