Green Synthesis of Zinc Ferrite Nanoparticles from Nyctanthes arbor-tristis: Unveiling Larvicidal Potential, Protein Binding Affinity and Photocatalytic Activities

Abstract An ecofriendly method was used to synthesize the novel zinc ferrite nanoparticles (ZnFe₂O₄ NPs) utilizing leaf extract of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis by hydrothermal method. The synthesized ZnFe₂O₄ NPs were characterized by different pivotal techniques. X-ray diffraction confirms the arrangement of the fcc crystal structure of nanoparticles and some organic substance that was encapsulated on the zinc ferrite. According to SEM analysis, the resulting nanoparticles are agglomerated and spherical in shape. The ZnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles are in their pure form, and all of their elemental compositions are shown by the EDAX spectrum. FTIR results reveal that the produced nanoparticles contained distinctive functional groups. Fluorescence spectroscopic technique was used to examine the binding affinities between bovine serum albumin (BSA) and ZnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles in terms of protein binding, stability, and conformation. The interaction between BSA and ZnFe₂O₄ NPs was examined using steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence measurements, and it was evident that there was static quenching at play. The ability of ZnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles to kill larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus (C. quinquefasciatus) was evaluated. The synthesized NPs demonstrated a noteworthy toxic effect against 4th instar larvae of C. quinquefasciatus with LC₅₀ values of 43.529 µg/mL and LC₉₀ values of 276.867 µg/mL respectively. This study explains the toxicity of green synthesized ZnFe₂O₄ NPs upon the mosquito larvae proving it to be a good and effective larvicide. Furthermore, the ZnFe₂O₄ NPs were utilized for dye degradation of methylene blue effectively under visible light treatment and achieved 99.5% degradation.