Optical, biological and catalytic properties of ZnO/MgO nanocomposites derived via Musa paradisiaca bract extract

Abstract In this work, magnesium oxide (MgO) nano rice and ZnO/MgO nanocomposite was fabricated using hybrid phytochemical assisted hydrothermal route. The MgO nano rice was obtained using the phytoconstituents extracted from the Musa paradisiaca bract extract (MPBE). Then the similar strategy was used to incorporate ZnO nanospheres on the surface of MgO nanorice. The UV–visible absorption spectra of the synthesized MgO and ZnO/MgO nanocomposite exhibit the absorption spectrum at 270 and 363 nm, respectively. The functional biomolecules responsible for the reduction of nanostructures have been probed using Fourier transform-infra red (FTIR) spectroscopy. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy and the surface topographical images revealed the successful inclusion of ZnO on the surface of MgO nanoparticles. The fabricated nanostructures have been evaluated for their free radical quenching effect and catalytic degradation of methyl orange (MO), methylene blue (MB), and O-nitrophenol (O-Nip). The ZnO/MgO nanocomposite has higher free radicals trapping efficacy than the pure MgO (69%) nanoparticles with maximum inhibition of 82%. In all cases, the catalytic activity of ZnO/MgO nanocomposite was found to be higher than the pure MgO owing to the combined effect of ZnO and MgO nanoparticles with degradation efficiency of 96%, 91%, and 93% for MO, MB, and O-Nip at 14, 12, and 9 min. Hence this study highlights the use of M. paradisiaca bract for effective fabrication of multifaceted ZnO/MgO nanocomposite that acts as a potential candidate to resolve the diverse problem.