Green synthesis of SnO quantum dots using Parkia speciosa Hassk pods extract for the evaluation of anti-oxidant and photocatalytic properties.

In the present study, microwave heating method was established for the biosynthesis of SnO Quantum dots (QDs) using Parkia speciosa Hassk pods extract. The as-synthesized quantum dots have been characterized by various techniques such as UV, XRD, EDX, TEM, HRTEM, SAED and FTIR spectroscopy. The biosynthesized SnO QDs was employed for the first time as an efficient photocatalyst for the degradation of a food dye, acid yellow 23 dye from aqueous phase under the UV light. Various parameters, such as the effect of catalyst dose, the initial concentration of acid yellow 23 dye (AY23), pH of the solution and irradiation time on the photodegradation process are also studied for efficient and better use of the synthesized SnO QDs as a catalyst. The biosynthesized SnO QDs exhibited excellent photocatalytic performances with degradation efficiency 98% on the degradation of an aqueous solution of AY23 of concentration 5 mg/L with a catalyst dose of 20 mg under UV light within 24 min. The synthesized SnO QDs can be reused up to 5 cycles of photodegradation experiment without losing its stability and efficiency. The biosynthesized SnO QDs also shows a fair activity in the scavenging of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical with the IC value of 312.6 ± 0.025 μg/mL.