Title: Greener synthesis of zirconia nanoparticles and their applications

Abstract

Zirconia in nanoscale has been found useful as nanocatalyst, nanosensor, nano adsorbent. Additionally, its biomedical applications in dentistry and drug delivery, and interesting biological properties such as anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, and anti-cancer activity have further motivated the researchers to explore different synthetic pathways. In this work, greener synthesis of zirconia nanoparticles was carried out suing using green tea leaves and zirconium oxychloride. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized with UV-visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and powder XRD, and scanning electron microscopy. Powder XRD pattern and microscopic studies confirm the formation of nanocrystalline material having the size in the range of 15-40 nm. Keeping in view biomedical applications of zirconia, antibacterial and antifungal activities of prepared nanoparticles were investigated. These studies have shown promising results.