Nano-ZnO prepared by using chaya and mango leaves extract for photocatalyst of methylene blue

This research aimed to synthesize nano-ZnO from chaya (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius) and mango leaves extract (Mangifera indica) as environmentally friendly photocatalysts. Nano-ZnO was synthesized using green synthesis, with leaves extracts as reducing agents and nanoparticle size stabilizers. The samples were prepared using two methods, namely nano-ZnO-1 and nano-ZnO-2. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis showed the contribution of metabolite compounds in nano-ZnO synthesis. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed the crystal size in nano range, with spherical nanorod morphology observed. Ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS) determined the band gap energy of 2.97 eV and 3.17 eV. Furthermore, photocatalytic activity test showed that photocatalyst performance after 90 min was 68.86% (nano-ZnO-1) and 96.46% (nano-ZnO-2).