Mentha Arvensis mediated synthesis and characterization of zinc oxide nanoparticles for energy applications

Abstract Eco-friendly, cost effective and bio template route was used to synthesize Zinc Oxide nanoparticles using Mentha Arvensis plant extract. Prepared samples were characterized by advanced characterization techniques. Powder X-Ray diffraction pattern confirmed the hexagonal Wurtzite structure of the product. The scanning electron microscopic image shows non-uniformity and agglomeration and Energy Dispersive spectrum confirm the perfect purity of the ZnO nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscopy confirms the hexagonal shape of the crystallites with average crystallite size was around 20 nm and inter-planar spacing of 0.275 nm. The estimated energy gap using UV–Visible spectroscopic data was about 3.34 eV which correlates with the reported literature. Photoluminescence studies shows that the prepared Zpu2 emission peak showed broader peak centred in green region when excited with 376 nm excitation. ZnO NPs changed from n-type to p-type semiconducting materials with increased concentration of plant extract. Prepared samples may be considered as a potential candidate for optoelectronic applications based on the broader emission peak of PL with green colour centred and because of holes excess semiconductor.