Green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles via Agathosma betulina natural extract

Abstract This contribution reports on the synthesis and the main physical properties of ZnO nanoparticles synthesized for the first time by a completely green process using Agathosma betulina plant extract as an effective chelating agent. The surface/interface and volume room temperature properties of these quasi-spherical 15.8 nm in size ZnO nanoparticle by transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy, X-rays diffraction, attenuated total reflection IR and Raman spectroscopy are reported. Likewise, a spark sintered pellet made of such nanoparticles exhibited a significant nonlinear current–voltage exponential response characteristic of a varistor.