Green synthesis, characterization, and antimicrobial activity of zirconium dioxide nanoparticles using Hibiscus sabdariffa extract
摘要
In the present study, an environmentally friendly method is proposed to successfully prepare the zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) nanoparticles using the Hibiscus sabdariffa flowers extract together with zirconium nitrate salt ZrO(NO3)2·H2O. These natural compounds in the extract played a significant role in the transformation of ZrO(NO3)2·H2O to the ZrO2 NPs. The X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and UV-Vis spectroscopy techniques were used to examine the ZrO2 nanoparticles. Through X-ray diffraction analysis, it is proven that the synthesized ZrO2 nanoparticles are polycrystalline with crystal size of about 20.9 nm. The FESEM examination of the surfaces of the nanoparticles showed that they are spherical in shape. The UV-Vis absorption spectrum and visible absorption spectrum of the material revealed two strong absorptions at ≈ 286 nm and ≈ 568 nm. The resulting sample showed strong antibacterial activity in the antibacterial analysis against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Finally, it can be concluded that the extract of hibiscus flowers is a simple, green and an effective reducing and stabilizing agent in the synthesis of ZrO2 nanoparticles. The obtained nanoparticles were found to have good structural, optical, and morphological properties and have good antibacterial activity.