Characterization of zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) nanoparticles biosynthesized using Satureja hortensis extract grown in vitro condition under salicylic acid treatments

Recently, the utilization of biological systems has emerged as a novel method for the synthesis of nanoparticles. The aim of this investigation was to study zirconia biosynthesis using Satureja hortensis L. extract treated with different concentration of salicylic acid (0, 40 and 80 µM) under In vitro condition. UV-Vis spectrum exhibit an absorption band at around 230 nm suggestion the formation of biological zirconia nanoparticles. The character, size and morphological properties of the nanoparticles have been investigated by facility of: X-ray Diffraction and FESEM. The nanoparticles were crystalline in nature with monoclinic and tetragonal phases. The size of the zirconia nanoparticles was found to be in the range 12.62-67.57 nm. FTIR results expounded some of the functional groups of the plant extract (such as OH, CH2, COO ¯ and CO) responsible for the bio-reduction of zirconia ions. Overall, the biosynthetic results of the control samples were better than the treatments. Our results revealed that the biomolecules which were present in the plant extract, capped the nanoparticles and acted as reducing and stabilizing agents. These results suggest that with change in culture condition of the plants, it may be possible to biosynthesis optimal nanoparticles.