Aloe vera is effectively utilized to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles (Av-ZnO NPs), providing an alternative to traditional chemical and physical methods. This sustainable approach minimizes the environmental impacts and enhances their compatibility with herbal ecosystems. We comprehensively analyzed the optical, structural, morphological, and catalytic properties of Av-ZnO NPs using various analytical methods. The results indicated that the nanoparticles primarily exhibited a spherical shape. X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed the successful formation of a highly crystalline hexagonal wurtzite structure, with an average size estimated at 12.2 nm. The antimicrobial properties of the Av-ZnO NPs indicated moderate antibacterial effectiveness. Using the DPPH free radical scavenging method, we evaluated the antioxidant properties, where the Av-ZnO NPs exhibited improved the radical scavenging efficiency, reflected by a lower IC₅₀ value compared to the plant extract. Additionally, we assessed the photocatalytic functionality through the degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye, finding that the Av-ZnO NPs achieved approximately 82.43% degradation in 210 min, demonstrating their potential for environmental remediation. These findings suggest that green-synthesized ZnO NPs could play a noteworthy role in various nanotechnology applications and biomedical fields, while also promoting environmental sustainability.

The title complex, [ZnCl(C₁₂H₁₅N₃O₂)₂][ZnCl₃(CH₃CN)], was synthesized and its structure was fully characterized through single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The complex crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, space group Pbca (61), with a central zinc atom coordinating one chlorine atom and two pyrrolidinyl-4-methoxyphenyl azoformamide ligands in a bidentate manner, utilizing both the nitrogen and oxygen atoms in a 1,3-heterodiene (N=N—C=O) motif for coordinative bonding, yielding an overall positively (+1) charged complex. The complex is accompanied by a [(CH₃CN)ZnCl₃]⁻ counter-ion. The crystal data show that the harder oxygen atoms in the heterodiene zinc chelate form bonding interactions with distances of 2.002 (3) and 2.012 (3) Å, while nitrogen atoms are coordinated by the central zinc cation with bond lengths of 2.207 (3) and 2.211 (3) Å. To gain further insight into the intermolecular interactions within the crystal, Hirshfeld surface analysis was performed, along with the calculation of two-dimensional fingerprint plots. This analysis revealed that H...H (39.9%), Cl...H/H...Cl (28.2%) and C...H/H...C (7.2%) interactions are dominant. This unique crystal structure sheds light on arrangement and bonding interactions with azoformamide ligands, and their unique qualities over similar semicarbazone and azothioformamide structures.

This work explores zinc oxide nanoparticle (ZnO NP) synthesis utilizing leaf extract of the Gaultheria fragrantissima plant that are useful in medicine, environmental remediation, and cosmetics due to their antibacterial activity, photocatalytic efficiency, and UV-blocking characteristics. Traditional synthesis methods involve energy-intensive procedures and hazardous chemicals, posing environmental and human health risks. To overcome these limitations, this research focuses on utilizing G. fragrantissima, rich in bioactive compounds such as phenolics and flavonoids, with the methyl salicylate previously reported in the literature for this species, which helps reduce and stabilize NPs. ZnO NPs were characterized through X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The ZnO NPs were found to have a well-defined crystalline structure, with their average crystallite size measured at around 8.26 nm. ZnO NPs exhibited moderate antimicrobial activity against selected microbial strains. These findings underscore the potential of G. fragrantissima-mediated synthesis as an environmentally sustainable and efficient method for producing ZnO NPs with multifunctional applications. This study provides a greener alternative to conventional synthesis approaches, demonstrating a method that is both eco-friendly and capable of yielding NPss with desirable properties.