Green synthesis of cobalt oxide nanoparticles from Clitoria ternatea flower extracts its characterization and biological activities

Abstract

Cobalt oxide nanoparticles (Co3O4-NPs) have numerous applications and presently the green method for the synthesis of nanoparticles is favored over other methods because of their benefits to the environment. In this study, Co3O4-NPs were synthesized by using the flower extracts of Clitoria ternatea and Cobaltous chloride hexahydrate as a source of cobalt. The synthesized Co3O4-NPs were studied by different techniques such as UV-Visible Spectroscopy, Fourier transform (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy dispersive analysis. Scanning Electron Microscopy images revealed the spherical and irregular structure of Co3O4-NPs having the particle size between 13 to 17 nm. X-ray diffraction showed the crystalline nature of cobalt oxide nanoparticles with Face – centered cubic. The prepared Co3O4-NPs showed significant antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus thermophilus, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger.