Microwave‐Irradiated Green Synthesis of a Silver/Zinc Oxide Nanocomposite from <i>Atalantia monophylla</i> (L.) Leaf Extract

Abstract

Abstract A silver/zinc oxide nanocomposite (Ag/ZnONC) was synthesized using the aqueous leaf extract of Atalantia monophylla as a reducing and capping agent, under controlled and effective microwave heating with silver nitrate (AgNO 3 ) and zinc nitrate hexahydrate (ZnNO 3 ·6H 2 O) serving as precursor salts. The X‐ray diffraction spectra peak and selective area electron diffraction patterns confirmed the crystalline nature of the synthesized nanocomposite particles. High‐resolution scanning electron microscopy images and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy micrographs of Ag/ZnONC showed an aggregated net‐like structure containing small spherical Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) supported by the large aggregated ZnO nanoparticles (ZnONPs). The eco‐friendly synthesized Ag/ZnONC shows great relevance in areas like photonics, catalysis, electronics, and biomedicals.