Comparative study between the ZnO nanopowders prepared using Azadirachta indica and glycerin and their characterizations.

ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared using naturally obtaining plant extract Azadirachta indica and chemical compound Glycerin as fuels by Ultrasonication-Combustion method. The prepared ZnO NPs were characterized by Powder X-Ray diffractometer (PXRD), surface morphology by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) along with elemental composition by Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDX). Energy bands of the ZnO NPs were calculated from Ultraviolet Visible Near Infrared spectroscopy (Uv-Vis-NIR) studies shows that the absorption wavelengths were at 381 nm and 392 nm for Azadirachta indica extract ZnO NPs and Glycerin ZnO NPs respectively. The PXRD patterns confirm the hexagonal Wurtzite crystalline phase. The average crystallite sizes were found to be ∼25 nm. The SEM image shows non uniformity and agglomeration and EDX spectra confirm the perfect purity of the ZnO nanoparticles. Thermo gravimetric analysis provides the formation temperature of the compound and also the exothermicity during the formation was obtained from differential scanning calorimeter. The energy band gap estimated correlates with the reported literature. Fluorescence studies shows that the prepared ZnO NPs emissions were in green and red regions when excited by 385 nm. Prepared samples may be considered as a potential candidate for optoelectronic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]