Preparation and characterization of ZnO, MgO and ZnO–MgO hybrid nanomaterials using green chemistry approach

Abstract

In the present study, a novel green synthesis of ZnO, ZnO–MgO nanocomposites (NC) [NC-1 (25% Zn - 75% MgO); NC-2 (50% Zn – 50% MgO); (75% Zn – 25% MgO)] and MgO nanomaterials using red seaweed was proposed. For the first time, Kappaphycus alvarezii was employed in this synthesis which makes the process simple, rapid, economical and eco-friendly. The nanomaterials were synthesized using single-step co-precipitation method and thus produced nanomaterials were investigated using UV-DRS spectroscopy, structural studies by XRD, FTIR, HR-SEM, TEM and EDAX. The absorption spectra of ZnO, ZnO–MgO nanocomposites (NC-1, NC-2, NC-3) and MgO nanomaterials showed that the optical band gaps were found to be 3.04, 3.17, 3.08, 2.98 and 4.71 ​eV, respectively. Thus, the produced nanoparticles can be employed as efficient adsorbent for the removal of chemical oxygen demand, nitrogen, phosphorous in addition to effective adsorptive treatment of dyes and heavy metals.