DOI: https://doi.org/10.14710/jksa.28.9.502-511

Biosynthesis of ZnO Nanoparticles from Cnidoscolus aconitifolius Leaf Extract: Structure, Morphology, and Photocatalytic Performance for Methylene Blue and Methyl Orange Degradation by UV Light Irradiation

Department of Physics, University of Lampung, Bandar Lampung-35145, Indonesia

Received: 17 Jul 2025; Revised: 3 Nov 2025; Accepted: 25 Nov 2025; Published: 8 Dec 2025.
Open Access Copyright 2025 Jurnal Kimia Sains dan Aplikasi under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.

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Abstract
Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were produced via an environmentally friendly approach using Cnidoscolus aconitifolius leaf extract and subsequently heat-treated at 250°C. The presence of Zn–O vibrations and organic functional groups in the extract was verified by FTIR analysis, while XRD data revealed a wurtzite structure with a mean crystallite dimension of 17.64 nm. SEM images mainly showed round-shaped particles with a band gap energy of 3.29 eV. Assessments of photocatalytic capability indicated substantial degradation of methylene blue (MB, reaching 92.96%), in contrast to diminished degradation of methyl orange (MO, registering 43.93%). This improved effectiveness was attributed to the combined favorable effects of concurrent photocatalytic processes. The kinetic evaluation followed a pseudo-second-order model, yielding rate constants of 0.38 min−1 for MB and 0.064 min−1 for MO. Overall, the green-synthesized ZnO NPs calcined at 250°C exhibit excellent photocatalytic activity, particularly for the degradation of MB.
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Keywords: Cnidoscolus aconitifolius; ZnO NPs; biosynthesis; photocatalytic
Funding: University of Lampung under contract 728/UN26.21/PN/2023

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