Green Synthesis and Characterization of Zinc Nanoparticles using Azadiracta indica Extract

Zinc nanoparticles are a nanotechnology utilizing the mineral zinc, which can act as a drug delivery system. Green synthesis of zinc nanoparticles using Azadiracta indica extract and their characterization is presented in this paper. The zinc nanoparticles were prepared by mixing 30 ml zinc nitrate hexahydrate with 5 ml of neem leaf extract. The extract was prepared with 100% aquadest. The characterization of zinc nanoparticles was performed using ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry (UV-Vis), fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), particle size analyzer (PSA), x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive x-ray (SEM-EDX), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The results showed that the wavelength of zinc nanoparticles was 365 nm. Based on FTIR analysis, the spectrum, showed the presence of functional groups in high intencity. The size of zinc nanoparticles is 368.8 nm with Polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.472. A typical phase plot was good in quality with no interference. The zeta potential value of zinc nanoparticles is -43.6 mV and the standard deviation is 18.8 mV. According to XRD analysis, the zinc nanoparticles have been indexed as the spherical to the hexagonal phase with high crystallinity, which is proved by the image of TEM. EDX profile authenticated the presence of only Zn, C, O and Si with no other elements contamination.