Green fabrication of zirconia nano-chains using novel Curcuma longa tuber extract

Bioreduction using plant materials for nanoparticle synthesis is a well known technique, but application of plant materials for hydrolytic process to synthesize nanoparticles has not much attempted earlier. One such unexplored natural material consisting of a wide range of organics is Curcuma longa tuber, which was tested for its potential use in the synthesis of zirconia nanoparticles (ZrNP). The linear chains of ZrNP formed were with an average size in the range of 41-45 nm. Water soluble organics that were present in the plant materials were mainly responsible for hydrolysis of ZrF₆ ^2- ions to ZrNP. The production of ZrNP was better at higher pH values. The zeta potential studies showed that the surface charge of the formed nanoparticles was highly negative and increased with increasing pH.