Synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles through the use of sour orange (Citrus aurantium L.) and the study of its physicochemical properties at different calcination temperatures

Abstract

The following research used a sour orange extract consisting of its peel and juice to synthesize ZnO nanoparticles. In a complementary way, the variation of the physicochemical properties of ZnO was studied when subjecting it to calcination processes at different temperatures. It was determined that the sour orange extract modifies zinc acetate, used as a reagent, to form a complex with hydroxide compounds. By subjecting the sample to 200 °C calcination, a compositional and structural combination between zinc acetate and zinc hydroxide is obtained. It was determined that 300 °C is the transition temperature to eliminate the acetate-hydroxide complex and the organic compounds and thereby obtain highly crystalline ZnO. The rise in temperature modifies the morphology of the samples, going from circular spheres to prismatic crystals, it also promotes an increase in the bandgap energy from 2.9 to 3.1 eV and elevates the Zn/O ratio from 0.55 to 0.92.

Graphical Abstract