Carbon doped ZnO nanoparticles have been synthesized from the thermal decomposition of Zinc citrate precursor. The precursor was synthesized from semi-solid paste and then subjected to calcination at 700 °C to produce ZnO nanoparticles. The precursor and ZnO were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, UV–visible (UV–Vis) spectra, Transmission Electron Microscope, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope, Energy Dispersive Analysis by X-ray (EDAX), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results ensured the formation of hexagonal 2D-ZnO nanoparticles with a layer thickness of 25 nm. The optical band gap of ZnO was determined and found to be 2.9 eV, which is lower than the bulk. Photocatalytic degradation of Fluorescein dye as an anionic dye and Rhodamine B as a cationic dye was evaluated via C-ZnO NPs under UV irradiation. ZnO displayed 99% degradation of Fluorescein dye after 240 min and a complete photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B dye after 120 min under UV irradiation.

Schiff-base complexes [ML·nH₂OAc]mH₂O (where L = Schiff base derived from condensation of 2-acetylpyridine and leucine; M = Cu(II), Ni(II) or Co(II); n = 0–2 and m = 3/2–2) and [ZnLOH]H₂O have been synthesized and characterized using elemental analyses, spectral analyses (UV-Vis, IR, ¹H NMR), conductance, thermal analyses, magnetic moments and QSAR analyses. The results showed that the ligand is mononegative tridentate coordinating the metal through pyridyl nitrogen, azomethine nitrogen, and carboxylate oxygen after deprotonation of the hydroxyl. Cu(II) forms square-planar and Ni(II) and Zn(II) form tetrahedral complexes, while Co(II) is octahedral. Prediction from quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) for anti-inflammatory activity in rats (% edema inhibition) has been made. The copper complex showed a significant analgesic and antirheumatic effect.