Dye degradation and antibacterial studies of Citrus limetta peels-derived Ag-ZnO nanoparticles

The current research explores the synthesis of Ag–ZnO bimetallic NPs from Citrus limetta peel extract, which act as reducing and stabilizing agents. Surface plasmon resonance peaks at 430 nm and 324 nm confirmed formation of Ag and ZnO NPs, respectively. FE-SEM micrographs revealed irregularly shape with homogeneous dispersion and surface roughness, while EDS analysis showed 75.29 wt% Ag and 24.71 wt% Zn. XRD analysis showed the crystalline nature of the prepared nanoparticles, with an average particle size of 27.52 nm for both face-centered cubic Ag and hexagonal ZnO phases. Zeta potential analysis indicated colloidal stability and absence of agglomeration. The catalytic efficiency was evaluated using three standard pollutants: methyl red, congo red, and p-nitrophenol in the presence of NaBH₄. High degradation efficiencies of 86.89% for MR, 92.5% for CR, and 58.1% for PNP were observed. Antibacterial activity showed that maximum zone of inhibition of 24 mm observed at 8 mg/mL against Klebsiella pneumoniae.