Green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using aqueous extract of Garcinia mangostana fruit pericarp and their photocatalytic activity

We reported a facile, green and eco-friendly approach for the synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using aqueous extract of Garcinia mangostana (G. mangostana) fruit pericarp as reducing agent as well as capping agent. Biosynthesized ZnO NPs were characterized by various analytical tools using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The results showed that ZnO NPs synthesized by aqueous extract of G. mangostana fruit pericarp with high purity, mostly spherical in shape with an average size of 21 nm. The photocatalytic activity of biosynthesized ZnO NPs was evaluated by carrying out the degradation of malachite green dye under solar irradiation. The extent of MG dye degradation was monitored spectrophotometrically by measuring absorbance at its characteristics $$\lambda _\max $$ value of 615 nm. Degradation products were detected using liquid chromatography–mass spectrophotometry technique. The biosynthesized ZnO NPs showed an excellent photocatalyst performance due to the small size and high purity.