Synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using leaf extract and its characterisation.

The present work deals with the synthesis of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (Nps) using the biocompounds extracted from leaves (MD L.) and zinc acetate as precursors. The choice of the precursors was based on the intention to use the synthesised ZnO Nps for the healthcare applications. In this line, the antimicrobial property of ethanolic extract of MD L., uncalcined ZnO Nps and calcined ZnO Nps has been assessed and compared. The prepared particles have been characterised by comparing their Fourier transform infrared spectrum, X-ray diffraction (XRD) diffractogram and TEM images. The presence of ZnO has been confirmed using IR spectrum. The crystal structure and crystallite size have been found out using XRD diffractogram, and the obtained crystallite size was confirmed using TEM images. Finally, an attempt has been made to correlate the structure with the antimicrobial property of the material.