The
green synthesis of semiconductors, such as ZnO nanoparticles, is a prominent
research topic due to their extensive potential applications, including use as
photocatalysts for textile waste. This study aims to analyze the
characteristics of ZnO-C and ZnO-G nanoparticles synthesized via green methods
using garlic bulb extract as bioreductors and to evaluate the photocatalytic
activity of ZnO nanoparticles synthesized through green synthesis methods
(ZnO-G) for the degradation of congo red (CR) dye. In this study, the green
synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles was performed using garlic bulb extract as a
reducing, stabilizing, and capping agent. The synthesis method involved varying
the amount of extract used in the synthesis process. Characterization of ZnO nanoparticles
was conducted using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR)
spectroscopy, and UV-Vis Spectroscopy. The results indicated that the average
crystal sizes of ZnO-C, ZnO-G10, ZnO-G20, and ZnO-G30 nanoparticles were 15.25
nm, 42.05 nm, 30.84 nm, and 34.49 nm, respectively, with Zn-O functional groups
identified in the fingerprint region at wavenumber of 452 cm-1,
420.5 cm-1, 440.75 cm-1, and 480.3 cm-1.
Additionally, the band gap values were 2.65 eV, 2.25 eV, 2.94 eV, and 2.28 eV,
respectively. Photocatalytic eksperiment of congo red dye solutions
demonstrated that after 120 minutes of irradiation, ZnO-G10, ZnO-G20, and
ZnO-G30 achieved maximum degradation percentages of 98.4%, 99.1%, and 98.9% at
a concentration of 30 mg/L, and 90.2%, 93.9%, and 91.3% at a concentration of
90 mg/L.
Keywords:
ZnO Nanoparticles, Green Synthesis, Garlic bulb, Photocatalyst, and Congo red