Photocatalytic performance and surface characterization of plant-mediated ZnO nanoparticles for methylene blue degradation
Abstract
This study evaluated the photocatalytic performance of green-synthesized ZnO materials through the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under simulated and natural solar irradiation. Owing to its enhanced visible-light absorption compared with TiO 2 , ZnO is a promising material for solar-driven environmental remediation. ZnO photocatalysts were synthesized using extracts from rosemary, comfrey, olive leaves, bitter orange and banana, resulting in materials with distinct morphologies and textural properties. The relationship between physicochemical characteristics and photocatalytic performance was investigated through structural, morphological, and surface analyses, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), FTIR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), surface area, point of zero charge, adsorption studies, pore volume and reactive oxygen species (ROS) quantification. Photocatalytic activity was strongly influenced by the morphology and surface properties of the ZnO materials. Notably, MB degradation didn't require significant prior adsorption of the pollutant on the catalyst surface. Among all materials, rosemary-derived ZnO exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity regardless of the synthesis route employed (hot-plate or hydrothermal). This superior performance (kinetic rate k = 0.023 min -1 at only 33W irradiation) was associated with its distinctive morphology, consisting of nanorods (50 to 200 nm), together with the largest specific surface area (~ 14 m 2 g⁻ 1 ) and the widest average pore diameter (~ 39 nm). Scavenger experiments identified superoxide radicals (•O 2 ⁻) as the predominant reactive species involved, with their quenching causing a 17-fold decrease in the apparent kinetic constant. These data highlight the importance of morphology and surface characteristics in governing the activity of plant-mediated ZnO photocatalysts and demonstrate their potential as sustainable materials for wastewater treatment.
Related
- Plasmonic Ag@ZIF-8 Monolith for Enhanced Visible-Light Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue
- Marine Macroalga-Mediated Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Ulva reticulata for Sunlight-Assisted Photocatalytic Degradation of Synthetic Dyes
- Inorganic-Ion-Stabilized Au Nanoparticles Supported on SiO2: Synthesis, Physicochemical Characterization, and Proof-of-Concept Raman Response Toward Methylene Blue
- Comparative analysis of ZnO, MgO and CuO nanoparticles (NPs) in the photocatalytic degradation of methyl red: An experimental and COMSOL-based study
- Green synthesis of SnO2 nanoparticles using Brassica oleracea leaf extract for dual-functional photocatalytic degradation of Malachite Green and adsorptive removal of Pb(II) and Cr(VI)
BibTeX
@article{bonneau2026photocatalytic,
title = {{Photocatalytic performance and surface characterization of plant-mediated ZnO nanoparticles for methylene blue degradation}},
author = {Adrien Bonneau and Marie-Angèle Fremy and Sylvie Villain and Gilles Baratto and Vincent Cot and Patricia Merdy},
journal = {Journal of Materials Science},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1007/s10853-026-13374-8},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05854600v1},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Photocatalytic performance and surface characterization of plant-mediated ZnO nanoparticles for methylene blue degradation
AU - Adrien Bonneau
AU - Marie-Angèle Fremy
AU - Sylvie Villain
AU - Gilles Baratto
AU - Vincent Cot
AU - Patricia Merdy
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/23
JO - Journal of Materials Science
DO - 10.1007/s10853-026-13374-8
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05854600v1
AB - This study evaluated the photocatalytic performance of green-synthesized ZnO materials through the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under simulated and natural solar irradiation. Owing to its enhanced visible-light absorption compared with TiO 2 , ZnO is a promising material for solar-driven environmental remediation. ZnO photocatalysts were synthesized using extracts from rosemary, comfrey, olive leaves, bitter orange and banana, resulting in materials with distinct morphologies and textural properties. The relationship between physicochemical characteristics and photocatalytic performance was investigated through structural, morphological, and surface analyses, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), FTIR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), surface area, point of zero charge, adsorption studies, pore volume and reactive oxygen species (ROS) quantification. Photocatalytic activity was strongly influenced by the morphology and surface properties of the ZnO materials. Notably, MB degradation didn't require significant prior adsorption of the pollutant on the catalyst surface. Among all materials, rosemary-derived ZnO exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity regardless of the synthesis route employed (hot-plate or hydrothermal). This superior performance (kinetic rate k = 0.023 min -1 at only 33W irradiation) was associated with its distinctive morphology, consisting of nanorods (50 to 200 nm), together with the largest specific surface area (~ 14 m 2 g⁻ 1 ) and the widest average pore diameter (~ 39 nm). Scavenger experiments identified superoxide radicals (•O 2 ⁻) as the predominant reactive species involved, with their quenching causing a 17-fold decrease in the apparent kinetic constant. These data highlight the importance of morphology and surface characteristics in governing the activity of plant-mediated ZnO photocatalysts and demonstrate their potential as sustainable materials for wastewater treatment.
SN - 0022-2461
SN - 1573-4803
ER -