Synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles from Semialarium mexicanum for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue, methyl orange, and rhodamine B dyes

In this work, ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized using Semialarium mexicanum, which acted as a reducing and stabilizing agent. The nanoparticles were characterized by ATR-IR, UV–Vis, XRD, and TEM. Additionally, the obtained nanoparticles were tested for the removal of contaminants in water through photocatalysis, using ultraviolet light sources and monitored by UV–Vis. A bandgap value of 2.63 eV was obtained, with an average nanoparticle size of 87 nm in the wurtzite phase. Due to the properties obtained, MB and RhB dyes were degraded in 150 min, while the MO dye was degraded in 30 min.