Green synthesis of Zn/Cu oxide nanoparticles by Vernicia fordii seed extract: their photocatalytic activity toward industrial dye degradation and their biological activity

Green synthesized Zinc oxide (ZnO NPs) and copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) via the aqueous essence of Vernicia fordii seed waste by solution combustion technique. UV–Visible, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscopy, and Transmission electron microscopy confirm the microstructure. X-ray diffraction fortified the wurtzite hexagonal crystalline (22 nm) and monoclinic (24 nm) phase of ZnO and CuO NPs. Energy Dispersive X-Ray analysis strengthened peaks for elemental copper, zinc, and oxygen without any peaks of impurities. Both the NPs offered an effective degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye under visible-light illumination (85% in 10 h and more than 99% in 24 h). The catalyst recycling proved its consistent reusability even after 03 consecutive employment. The decoloration of the dye reached 98–90% suggesting its reusability. Additionally, both lead the efficient antifungal activity against C. albicans fungi and antibacterial potential against Bacillus cereus and larvicidal activity against T. confusum larvae in 24 h.