Facile and green synthesis of zinc oxide particles by Stevia Rebaudiana and its in vitro photocatalytic activity

Stevia rebaudiana leaves is a well-known medicinal plant for its non-caloric bio-sweetener. To enhance its value addition, employed first time for synthesis and stabilization of ZnO nanoparticles. The characterization using UV-Spec, FE-TEM, XRD, DLS revealed that SR-ZnO (ZnO particles obtained from S. rebaudiana) were flower-shape, 500–1,000 nm sizes, hydrodynamic diameter Z-average of polydisperse SR-ZnO was 582.35 ± 52.40 nm with a PDI of 0.33 ± 0.002. Furthermore, 76% degradation of methylene blue dye within 30 min exposure to SR-ZnO and plant extract under UV light indicates that it could be utilized as an efficient photocatalyst for wastewater treatment.