ECO-FRIENDLY SYNTHESIS OF NICKEL NANOPARTICLES FROM OCIMUM SANCTUM: ANTIBACTERIAL AND PHOTOCATALYTIC ACTIVITY

Abstract

Green synthesis of metallic nanoparticles offers a sustainable alternative to conventional chemical approaches. In this study, nickel nanoparticles (NiNPs) were successfully produced with Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi) leaf extract, which served as both a natural reducing and capping agent. Characterization involved UV–Vis spectroscopy at 387 nm, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, XRD analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X ray spectroscopy (EDS). XRD confirmed the face-centered cubic (FCC) crystalline structure of the biogenic NiNPs, whose sizes ranged from 18-20 nm. The findings also showed that the particles were crystalline and predominantly spherical, while indicating the contribution of plant phytochemicals to their synthesis and stabilization. Biological testing found notable antibacterial activity against the target bacterial strains, as well as radical-scavenging capacity in DPPH assays. The synthesized NiNPs also efficiently degraded methylene blue, an organic dye pollutant, under light irradiation. These results point to the potential of O. sanctum-mediated NiNPs as eco-friendly nanomaterials for environmental and biological applications.