Investigating the size-dependent structural, optical, dielectric, and photocatalytic properties of benign-synthesized ZnO nanoparticles

Zinc oxide (ZnO) plays a vital role in numerous technological facets of semiconductors. Due to its captivating characteristics, it has garnered considerable interest in a diverse array of applications. In this study, the egg albumen-facilitated bio-template approach was utilized to fabricate ZnO nanoparticles, aiming to investigate the impact of varying albumen concentration ratios on the crystal structure, dimensions, and shape of the resulting ZnO nanoparticles. This approach provides more precise customization of the dimensions and configuration of the nanocrystals and is compatible with most documented physical techniques. Exploring the morphological impacts of unadulterated or altered zinc oxide nanocrystals on photocatalytic performance is crucial for maximizing solar energy absorption and utilization. However, this aspect has yet to receive much attention in previous studies. The photocatalytic rate was discovered to be independent of the ZnO particle size, but the geometry factor is of paramount significance. ZnO with a nanopencil shape exhibited a minimum of 1.81 times higher efficiency than spherical particles. Furthermore, the dielectric characteristics of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) were investigated across a frequency range of 75 kHz to 7 MHz, considering the dependence on particle size. As the dimensions of the ZnO NPs diminish, there is a gradual rise in the dielectric permittivity, increasing from 20 to 82 with the escalation in frequency. In the context of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs), the Maxwell-Wagner polarization model can elucidate the phenomenon of robust interfacial polarization, particularly as the ZnO size diminishes. As the frequency increases, the AC conductivity exhibits a gradual augmentation. Likewise, in relation to the dielectric constant and losses, the electrical conductivity characteristics of all ZnO NPs samples exhibit a reliance on the size of the crystals, where a reduction in crystal size corresponds to a decrease in electrical conductivity. The utilization of eco-friendly nanomaterials is anticipated to pave the way for novel possibilities in their exceptional electronic applications as storage materials.