Colloidal stability and dielectric behavior of eco-friendly synthesized zinc oxide nanostructures from Moringa seeds

Basílio José Augusto José; Mahendra Devidas Shinde

doi:10.1038/s41598-024-52093-5

Colloidal stability and dielectric behavior of eco-friendly synthesized zinc oxide nanostructures from Moringa seeds

Sci Rep. 2024 Jan 28;14(1):2310. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-52093-5.

Authors

Basílio José Augusto José^{1

2}, Mahendra Devidas Shinde³

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Science and Technology, Licungo University, Beira, Mozambique. bjose@unilicungo.ac.mz.
² School of Science, Sandip University, Nashik, India. bjose@unilicungo.ac.mz.
³ School of Engineering and Technology, Sandip University, Nashik, India.

PMID: 38280954
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52093-5

Abstract

This study centers on the environmentally benign synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) derived from Zn (CH₃COO)₂·2H₂O and Moringa seeds. The synthesized nanostructures underwent comprehensive characterization utilizing diverse analytical techniques, encompassing X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-VIS spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Raman spectroscopy. XRD measurements coupled with W-H plot transformation unequivocally confirmed the formation of ZnO nanostructures, characterized by an average size of 24.9 nm. UV-VIS spectroscopy, complemented by Kubelka Munk curve analysis, elucidated the direct conduction and determined a bandgap of 3.265 eV. FESEM analysis revealed minimal particle aggregation, showcasing well-defined grain boundaries spanning sizes from 20.4 to 87.7 nm. XPS analysis substantiated the presence of Zn (2p), Zn (3p), Zn (3d), and O (1s). Raman spectroscopy identified E₂H as the predominant mode, followed by E₁(TO) and (E₂H-E₂L). ZnO thin films, fabricated via pulsed laser deposition (PLD) and deposited onto silicon (100) substrates, exhibited exemplary morphology and discernible topography, characterized by a normal grain size distribution. Zeta potential tests yielded a value of approximately ([Formula: see text] ~ - 43.8 mV), indicative of the commendable stability of the colloidal suspension, likely attributable to low particle aggregation. Dielectric measurements conducted on sintered pellets at 900 °C unveiled elevated capacitance and dielectric constant at low frequencies across the temperature range of 289.935-310 K. These findings affirm the potential utility of environmentally synthesized ZnO for a spectrum of applications, including energy devices and nanofluids.