Impact of Calcination Temperature on the Structural and Photocatalytic Properties of ZnO Synthesized from Gum Arabic for Methylene Blue Dye Removal

Currently, this study explores the eco-friendly derivation of ZnO nanoparticles (ZnONPs) using the natural Arabic gum as reducing and capping agent. The produced nanoparticles exhibit potential applications in varied fields, including environmental remediation, drug delivery, catalysis, and sensor development. The characteristic surface and the detection of active functional groups in addition to phase structure identity and particle size were investigated using different analytical techniques i.e. X-ray diffractometer, FTIR, UV–Vis Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), elemental detection spectroscopy (EDX) and TEM. The XRD spectrum approved the formation of hexagonal wurtzite phase with an increase in the crystalline structure as temperature was increased and the calculated crystalline size was in sequence of 31.952, 33.963 and 35.781 nm. These results were consistent with TEM analysis. The FESEM study confirm the spherical shape. The diffuse reflectance spectra revealed the effect of Arabic gum in controlling the growth of nanoparticles at low calcination temperature. The photocatalytic activity of the green synthesized ZnO Np showed that ZnO - GA calcined at 600 °C was faster for color removal of pollutant dye at the first 10 min compared to other samples. ZnO capped arabic gum showed very high stability and efficient reusability for five consecutive cycles while the scavenger study concludes that the •OH and •O 2 − are the most controlling species during the photocatalytic reaction.