Hello there Adarsh Shetty! I understand your interest in synthesizing Cu-Ni decorated ZnO nanocomposites using plant extracts, and I'll do my best to provide some guidance on this topic.

While I cannot provide real-time or internet-based information, I can offer some general insights into the synthesis process and the potential challenges you Adarsh Shetty may encounter.

1. **Plant Extracts as Reducing, Capping, and Binding Agents**:

- Some plant extracts contain bioactive compounds that can serve as reducing agents to convert metal ions (Cu and Ni) into their respective nanoparticles.

- They can also act as capping agents to control the size and stability of the nanoparticles.

- The binding effect can occur due to the interaction of functional groups in the plant extracts with the surface of the ZnO nanoparticles.

2. **Biosynthesis of Cu-Ni Decorated ZnO Nanocomposites**:

- Biosynthesis of such nanocomposites using plant extracts is feasible, but it may require optimization and careful selection of the plant extract.

- Some plant extracts with high reducing and capping capabilities include those from green tea, Aloe vera, and Neem leaves, among others.

- Biosynthesis is considered a green and sustainable approach.

3. **Challenges**:

- Achieving precise control over the composition and morphology of the nanocomposite can be challenging.

- The choice of plant extract and its concentration can significantly impact the synthesis process.

- Reaction conditions such as temperature, pH, and reaction time need to be optimized.

- Ensuring reproducibility can be a challenge in bio-mediated synthesis compared to conventional chemical methods.

4. **Comparison with Conventional Approaches**:

- While biosynthesis offers a sustainable and eco-friendly approach, conventional chemical methods provide better control over nanoparticle properties.

- Conventional methods often allow for the synthesis of well-defined nanocomposites with known properties.

5. **Research and Experimentation**:

- It's essential to conduct thorough experimentation and optimization to determine the suitability of a specific plant extract for your synthesis.

- Keep in mind that the effectiveness of plant extracts can vary widely, and not all extracts may be suitable for your specific nanocomposite.

In summary, the use of plant extracts for biosynthesis of Cu-Ni decorated ZnO nanocomposites is a promising approach, but it may require extensive experimentation and optimization. It's also valuable to consider conventional chemical methods as a benchmark for comparison. Best of luck with your research!

Synthesizing Cu-Ni decorated ZnO nanocomposites using plant extracts can be achieved through a multi-step process. Begin by selecting a plant extract known for its reducing or capping properties, use it to reduce Cu and Ni precursors, introduce ZnO precursors, and stabilize the formed metal nanoparticles with the same or another suitable plant extract acting as a capping agent. To bind the metal nanoparticles to ZnO nanoparticles, optimize conditions like pH, temperature, and reaction time. Characterize the nanocomposite using techniques like XRD, SEM, TEM, and EDS. Confirm successful biosynthesis by comparing its properties with those synthesized through conventional/non-biogenic methods.

Dear Doctor

Go To

Green Synthesis of Ni-Cu-Zn Based Nanosized Metal Oxides for Photocatalytic and Sensor Applications

by📷Mir Waqas Alam,📷Muhammad Aamir,📷Mohd Farhan,📷Maryam Albuhulayqah,📷Mohamad M. Ahmad,📷C.R. Ravikumar,📷V.G. Dileep Kumar and📷H.C. Ananda Murthy

Crystals 2021, 11(12), 1467; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst11121467

"Abstract

The preparation, characterization, and application of Nickel oxide (NiO)–Copper oxide (CuO)–Zinc oxide (ZnO) transition nanometal oxides have significantly enhanced their tunable properties for superior multifunctional performances compared with well-known metal oxides. NiO–CuO–ZnO nano transition metal oxides were synthesized by a simple eco-friendly solution combustion method. X-ray diffraction studies revealed distinct phases such as monoclinic, cubic, and hexagonal wurtzite for CuO, NiO, and ZnO, respectively, with NiO having the highest composition. The particle sizes were found to be in the range between 25 and 60 nm, as determined by powder X-ray diffraction. The energy bandgap values were found to be 1.63, 3.4, and 4.2 eV for CuO, ZnO, and NiO, respectively. All metal oxides exhibited a moderate degradation efficiency for AR88 dye. The results of ultraviolet–visible absorption spectra helped identify the bandgap of metal oxides and a suitable wavelength for photocatalytic irradiation. Finally, we concluded that the electrochemical studies revealed that the synthesized materials are well suitable for sensor applications.

Conclusions

Using a green combustion approach, we have successfully synthesized three metal oxides: nickel oxide, copper oxide, and zinc oxide. The PXRD analysis confirms the phase purity of the samples, and the planes obtained from the analysis are in good agreement with the SAED pattern obtained from the TEM analysis. The metal oxides that were prepared were tested for a variety of applications, including photocatalysis and sensors. To determine the photocatalytic ability of the metal oxides, AR88 dye was used as a test substrate and the obtained results were notably appreciable. It should be noted that ZnO exhibited a greater photocatalytic activity than NiO and CuO. The sensing ability of the metal oxides was investigated using glucose as a sensing analyte. Because of their abilities and the obtained results, it can be concluded that the synthesized metal oxides have the potential to be used in a variety of applications."