Green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using Carica papaya leaf extracts for photocatalytic and photovoltaic applications

• Published in: Journal of materials science. Materials in electronics Vol. 28; no. 14; pp. 10374 - 10381
• Main Authors: Rathnasamy, Rajeswari, Thangasamy, Pitchai, Thangamuthu, Rangasamy, Sampath, Sridhar, Alagan, Viswanathan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.07.2017; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Dye-sensitized solar cells; Dyes; Energy conversion efficiency; Light irradiation; Materials Science; Methylene blue; Morphology; Nanoparticles; Optical and Electronic Materials; Photocatalysis; Photovoltaic cells; Synthesis; Ultraviolet radiation; Wurtzite; Zinc oxide; Methylene Blue; Visible Absorption Spectrum; Energy Conversion Efficiency; Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopic; Photocatalytic Activity
• ISSN: 0957-4522; 1573-482X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10854-017-6807-8

We report a facile synthesis of hexagonal wurtzite ZnO nanoparticles through green synthesis method using Carica papaya leaf extract. To understand the structural phase purity, morphology and size, the sample was characterized through various analytical techniques. The obtained results reveal that the synthesized ZnO nanoparticle is a phase pure hexagonal wurtzite structure in spherical shape with particle size of ~50 nm. Furthermore, the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles were used as photocatalyst as well as photo anode for methylene blue dye degradation and dye sensitized solar cells, respectively. It was found that the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles completely degrade the methylene blue dye within 180 min under UV light irradiation. In addition, it shows an energy conversion efficiency of 1.6% with a current density of 8.1 mA cm −2 in dye sensitized solar cells.