Efficient Photocatalytic Degradation of Dyes Under Natural Solar Light Using Facile One-Step Green Synthesized ZrO2 Nanoparticles

Abstract

The growing interest for eco-friendly nanomaterials has driven the search for cost-effective synthesis methods, with zirconium dioxide nanoparticles (ZrO₂-NPs) gaining interest for their photocatalytic and antibacterial properties. The ambitions of this study are to synthesize ZrO₂-NPs by the use of lichen extract and evaluate their performance in pollutant degradation and antimicrobial activity. The nanoparticles had been characterized by the use of UV–Vis spectroscopy, which confirms their formation with an absorption peak at 234 nm, at the same time as FTIR evaluation diagnosed functional groups responsible for stabilization. XRD evaluation discovered their crystalline nature, FESEM images showed their spherical morphology, and EDX spectroscopy verified their elemental composition. Photocatalytic experiments underneath sunlight proved efficient degradation of Malachite Green (84%) and Phenol Red (75.5%). Antibacterial studies confirmed good activity toward Staphylococcus aureus (18 mm zone of inhibition), while Escherichia coli exhibited low sensitivity (9 mm area of inhibition). These findings spotlight the capacity of green-synthesized ZrO₂-NPs for wastewater treatment and antimicrobial programs.