Investigation of Aloe Vera Mediated ZnO-β-CD Nanoparticles for Photocatalysis & Antimicrobial Applications

This study presents the formation of Al based ZnO-β-cyclodextrin nano composite, by the green synthesis of ZnO nano particles from aloe vera (Al) plant extract, functionalized with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD). UV-Visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field emission electron microscopy (FESEM), and band gap energy measurement, were used to analyse the functionalized zinc oxide (ZnO) with β-CD nano composite. Present work involved the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye as a model substrate used Al based ZnO- β-cyclodextrin nano composite where Al-based ZnO-NPs was worthily catalysis due to their unique bandgap (3.0eV) and β-cyclodextrin with ZnO, electron-hole recombination takes places very easily. At 6 pH, MB aqueous solution lose its blue colour after 160 minutes. Gram-positive bacteria S. aureus, gram-negative bacteria E. coli, and the fungus strain A. nigerwere all successfully combatted by the antibacterial activity. In presence of light and air, Al based ZnO-β-cyclodextrin nanocomposite generates singlet oxygen (O2*-) and hydrogen oxide radical (-OH*) which inhibit the growth of cells of bacterial and fungal strains. Although it was less hazardous and did not show negative effects on the development of healthy cells.