Biosynthesis, characterization, and antibacterial activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles derived from Bauhinia tomentosa leaf extract

A facile, eco-friendly synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) employing Bauhinia tomentosa leaf extract as bioreducing agent was reported. The green-synthesized ZnO NPs were characterized by UV–Vis, TEM, EDX, XRD, and FTIR analyses. The formation of ZnO NPs was confirmed by the appearance of characteristic SPR peak at 370 nm due to the collective oscillation of electrons in the conduction band in UV–Vis spectra. The hexagonal morphology exhibiting nanosized ZnO was observed from the TEM and XRD analyses. The chemical bonds present in the as-synthesized ZnO NPs were identified by FTIR analysis. ZnO NPs showed a significant antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria P. aeruginosa and E. coli than Gram-positive bacteria. Results of this study demonstrated that B. tomentosa leaf extract containing phytochemicals such as alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, tannins, carbohydrates, and sterols possess bioreducing property for ZnO synthesis and the obtained ZnO NPs could be employed effectively as a better bactericidal agent for biological applications.