Effect of pH on Size and Antibacterial Activity of Salvadora oleoides Leaf Extract-Mediated Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles

Green synthesis of metal nanoparticles is an interesting issue of nanotechnology. In the present study, zinc oxide nanoparticles were synthesized using Salvadora oleoides leaf aqueous extract and effect of pH on formation of zinc oxide nanoparticles was evaluated. The formation of zinc oxide nanoparticles was characterized by various spectral analysis like UV–Vis spectroscopy, zeta potential measurements, TGA-DTA analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy analysis. The pH affected some characterization parameters distinctly while others were not affected. pH affected the size of nanoparticles synthesized. Zinc oxide nanoparticles at pH 5 exhibited good broad spectrum of antibacterial activity as compared to pH 8. Though size and antibacterial activity were affected by pH, both are good as antibacterial agents. Hence, zinc oxide nanoparticles could be developed as antibacterial agents against a wide range of bacteria to control and prevent bacterial infections.