A review of the green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using plant extracts and their prospects for application in antibacterial textiles

In an era of environmentally friendly development, methods of the green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) from plant extracts have become a focus of research attention because of the benefits of environmental sustainability, simplicity, and low price. The present review introduces a green mechanism for the synthesis of ZnO NPs using the extracts of plants, exploring factors that influence the morphology of ZnO NPs and their antibacterial properties, and the mechanisms of antibacterial action. The results indicate that the factors that influence morphology include the intrinsic crystallographic morphological properties and conditions of the preparation of ZnO NPs. In terms of preparation conditions, the influence of plant extract concentration, precursor concentration, reaction time, and calcination temperature on NP morphology is related to the species of plants used, with precursor concentration the most significant factor affecting the morphology of ZnO NPs. A pH of 12 appears be the most appropriate alkalinity for the synthesis of ZnO NPs from plant extracts. In addition, the synthesized ZnO NPs display excellent antibacterial properties, the mechanism of which involves photocatalysis, reactive oxygen species, and interactions between ZnO NPs and bacterial surfaces. Factors influencing the antibacterial properties are the type of bacteria and the concentration and morphology of ZnO NPs. Finally, the methods of preparation of antibacterial textiles using synthetic ZnO NPs are discussed in relation to the preparation of antibacterial fibers, fabric, and composite textiles. Here, the future trend of such antibacterial textiles is considered, providing the direction for further research of antibacterial textiles.