Green synthesis of Ag-ZnO nanocomposites using Trigonella foenum-graecum leaf extract and their antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant and photocatalytic properties

In the present study, biological synthesis of Ag-ZnO nanocompositeswas performed using hydroalcoholic extract of fenugreek leaves. Metal/semiconductor oxide nanocomposites are excellent owing to their optical, electrical, magnetic, and chemical properties that are not detected in single individual constituents. The synthesized AgZnO nanocomposites were investigated through the use of methods such as FTIR, UV vis DRS, SEM-EDX, TEM, XRD, zeta potential analysis, and DLS. The synthesized Ag-ZnO nanocomposites had an average particle size of about 75 nm and a zeta potential of -37.5 mV. The XRD results confirmed that Ag was successfully introduced into the Ag-ZnO nanocomposites via a hydrothermal method. The antimicrobial and antifungal activities of AgZnO nanocomposites were evaluated by agar well diffusion method against three microbial and fungal strains; it was found that the Ag-ZnO nanocomposites were toxic against all the tested microbial and fungal strains. Ag-ZnO nanocomposites was observed to have significant antioxidant activity against DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1picrylhydrazyl) free radicals. The Ag-ZnO nanocomposites exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity and stability against the degradation of malachite green under visible light irradiation. The study successfully applied a simple and eco-friendly method for synthesizing efficient multifunctional Ag-ZnO nanocomposites using green synthetic approach. (c) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.