Synergistic effects of Curcuma amada functionalized ZnO nanostructures: bioactivity, catalytic, photocatalytic, and supercapacitor application

Abstract

The present study focuses on a facile phytosynthesis to develop C. amada-coated ZnO nanoparticles from zinc acetate dihydrate solution by using Talinum fructicosum leaf as reducing agent. The phenolic content of C. amada along with curcuminoid compounds (such as de- and bis-methoxy curcumin), function as a surface-active source to produce high-quality ZnO nanostructures. The X-ray diffraction (XRD), BET Surface area analysis (BET), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV–Visible spectral analysis (UV), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), antimicrobial, antidiabetic, bovin serum albumin denaturation assay, electrochemical analysis (ES), photocatalytic degradation and catalytic reduction potential evaluation were used to characterize the phyto-synthesised ZnO nanoparticles. The XRD pattern exhibited a good nanocrystallinity with hexagonal wurtzite structure and an efficient band gap of 3.33 eV which further proved the ZnO nanoparticles to be a good semiconductor. FTIR analysis and XPS studies mutually prove the Zn–O bond formation; BET analysis confirmed the configuration of ZnO, with the surface area of 11.488 m²/g, which is mesoporous in nature and highlighted the significance of the porous morphology in SEM findings. The study specially focuses on illustrating the symmetric supercapacitor electrode based on ZnO nanoparticles with a superior specific capacitance value of 457 F g⁻¹ (1 A g⁻¹). The photodegradation of methylene blue and methyl orange dyes demonstrated a maximum degradation efficiency of 97 and 91%, respectively, achieved after 90 minutes of irradiation, emphasizing the influence of an increased concentration of biomolecules. Additionally, ZnO nanoparticles exhibited effective catalytic reduction potential on highly toxicious 4-nitrophenol to get reduced into less hazardious 4-aminophenol. The broad range of functionalities enhances the utility of biogenic ZnO nanoparticles and widens its scope for energy and environmental applications.