Synthesis of semiconductor ZnO nanostructures using Arctostaphylos pungens extract applicated in the photodegradation of water pollutions

Abstract The presence of dyes in water can have severe health and environmental implications; consequently, effective technologies are required to remove them. In this research, ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) have been synthesized by eco‐friendly methods, using Arctostaphylos pungens extract, for use in water treatment via photocatalysis. The extract concentration strongly influenced the properties of ZnO NPs, the bandgap values revealed a direct dependence as the extract concentration increased, obtaining 2.81, 2.88, and 2.92 eV for 1%, 2%, and 4% w/v (weight/volume), respectively. In contrast, the NPs presented quasi‐spherical morphologies with a decrease in size from 24, 20, and 17 nm in response to extract concentration variations. The ZnO formation was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared, energy‐dispersive x‐ray, and x‐ray diffraction. ZnO NPs showed high photocatalytic activity with the dyes methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO) under UV light, achieving 96% photodegradation of MB in just 60 min. Meanwhile, MO showed 93% of degradation at 180 min. Additionally, under solar radiation, significant photocatalytic activity was also observed, obtaining 92% and 81% photodegradation for MB and MO, respectively. The results indicate that ZnO NPs green synthesized using A. pungens extract can be used in water treatment as a friendly and efficient catalyst for the photodegradation of dyes.