Green Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles using extract of onion (Allium cepa) peel [Síntesis verde de nanopartículas de óxido de zinc utilizando extracto de cáscara de cebolla (Allium cepa)]

Abstract

In the present study, zinc oxide nanoparticles were synthesized by green synthesis using extract of onion (Allium cepa) peel. The extract was prepared by heating at 80 C with constant stirring for 30 minutes. Samples of ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized using zinc nitrate as a precursor at temperatures between 70 and 80 °C until the formation of a colloid that was calcined at 200 °C for a period of 3 hours. The green synthesized ZnO nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction using Profex 4.3.4 software. The results showed formation of crystalline ZnO nanoparticles and the particles ranging between 21.4 and 38.1 nm. The high degree of agglomeration shows particles in the micrometer range, however, the individual size of the particles is in the nanometer-scale.