Green Synthesis and Characterization of ZnO and MgO Nanoparticles Using Chamomile Extract

الملخص

Green synthesis offers an environmentally benign approach for producing functional metal oxide nanomaterials. In this study, chamomile extract was employed as a natural reducing and stabilizing agent to synthesize ZnO and MgO nanoparticles under identical reaction conditions. The nanoparticles were prepared at 30 °C for 30 min under neutral pH, followed by heat treatment at 400 °C for five hours to remove residual moisture and promote crystallization. Structural and morphological characteristics were examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–visible spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The UV–Vis spectra exhibited characteristic absorption peaks at 369 nm for ZnO and 265 nm for MgO. XRD analysis confirmed the formation of hexagonal wurtzite ZnO and face-centered cubic MgO phases, with calculated crystallite sizes of 8.35 nm and 11.58 nm, respectively. SEM images revealed predominantly spherical ZnO nanoparticles forming agglomerated secondary structures (55–70 nm) and spherical MgO nanoparticles with primary sizes ranging from 60–75 nm. The results demonstrate that chamomile extract serves as an effective biotemplate for controlling the nucleation and growth of ZnO and MgO nanoparticles, leading to well-defined structural and morphological features. This study highlights the potential of plant-mediated synthesis as a sustainable route for producing stable nanomaterials suitable for biomedical and environmental applications, reinforcing the role of green chemistry in advancing eco-friendly nanotechnology.