Green Approach for the Fabrication of Au/ZnO Nanoflowers: A Catalytic Aspect

Abstract

An easy, environmentally benign, and biomimetic approach employing Azadirachta indica (neem) leaf extract as a reducing as well as capping agent was used for the fabrication of gold (Au)/zinc oxide (ZnO) hybrid nanoflowers in one pot without utilizing any hazardous chemicals. The different phytoconstituents, for example, nimbolide, azadirachtin, ascorbate, etc., present in A. indica (neem) leaf extract synergistically reduce gold(III) ions to gold(0), which later on acts as an active surface for the growth of zinc oxide (ZnO) via thermal decomposition of sodium zincate [Na2Zn(OH)4]. The development of Au/ZnO hybrid nanoflowers was observed by estimating the absorption maxima at various time intervals in the wake of adding a Au precursor to the aqueous extract. X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) investigation unambiguously confirm the formation of highly crystalline Au/ZnO composed of Au(0) and ZnO. The as-synthesized Au/ZnO hybrid nanoflowers were analyzed utilizing different spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images clearly show that the synthesized hybrid Au/ZnO nanoflowers are monodisperse and uniform. The fabricated Au/ZnO nanoflowers were used as a catalyst for the efficient reduction of various aromatic nitro compounds to corresponding amino compounds with excellent yield (76-94%) in the presence of reducing agent sodium borohydride. The superior catalytic properties were credited to the extraordinary nanoflower morphology and the synergistic impact of the typified Au nanoparticles. � 2021 American Chemical Society.