Green Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles by Using Pomegranate Peels: An Overview

Abstract

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a crucial material for industries such as rubber production, biomedical applications, and metal surface treatment areas. ZnO exhibits semi-conductivity, antimicrobial activity, and UV absorption capability. This material is regarded as a vulcanization activator. Transforming this material to a nanoparticle is preferred because increasing the particle size of the material decreases the surface area. In the scientific literature, researchers have attempted to increase the features of ZnO nanoparticles to use them as photocatalysts and antimicrobial agents. Besides that, there are also studies aimed at improving the properties of this nanomaterial for use in energy cells and sensors. The synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles in a biological way is accepted as an eco-friendly process. Since hazardous chemicals and high energy are not used, the biological method is called green synthesis. In the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles via the green route, zinc nitrate or zinc acetate is the source of zinc salt added to biological extracts. These extracts can be obtained from algae, plants, and bacteria. The reaction between the salt and extract occurs, and then a thermal treatment is applied to reach the nanoparticle.