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Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were formed through a simple green synthesis route using Vitex negundo (V. negundo) leaf extract as reducing and capping source. Morphological, structural, chemical and optical features of the prepared ZnO NPs were examined by field emission SEM, XRD, EDAX, PL, FTIR and UV–vis DRS, respectively. FESEM images precisely visualized morphology of the ZnO NPs as spherical with particles size ranges between 5 and 35 nm having a mean diameter of ∼ 19 nm. XRD pattern revealed formation of hexagonal wurtzite structured ZnO NPs with high crystallinity. Further, the observed asymmetric stretching vibration of Zn-O bond confirmed the formation of hexagonal wurtzite structured ZnO NPs. Photocatalytic activity of the ZnO NPs was assessed against methylene blue (MB) dye degradation under natural sunlight illumination. Results of the photocatalytic experiment disclosed an impressive MB dye degradation efficiency of 98.50 % at 60 min. Moreover, green synthesized ZnO NPs exhibited a maximum mineralization (TOC removal) efficiency of 92.34 % at 5 h of sunlight illumination.

Ecofriendly synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) was carried out using Solanum trilobatum (S. trilobatum) leaf extract as bioreducing agent. SEM images disclosed spherical ZnO NPs formation having a mean diameter of ∼25 nm. EDAX spectrum demonstrated presence of Zn and O elements and absence of peaks corresponding to impurity elements that revealed purity of ZnO NPs. X-ray diffraction pattern displayed diffraction peaks associated with hexagonal wurtzite structured ZnO. Rietveld refinement analysis of XRD data indicated that ZnO NPs have hexagonal single phase (P63mc space group). Profile parameters (Rp, Rwp, and χ2) with minimum values designated harmony between calculated and observed diffraction patterns. FTIR spectrum of ZnO NPs signified high intense band at 540.94 cm−1 associated with characteristic stretching of Zn–O bond. Photocatalytic performance of ZnO NPs showed noticeable methylene blue dye decomposition with an efficiency of 94.07 % under sunlight illumination. Total organic carbon analysis disclosed considerable removal of organic carbon content from the methylene blue dye. Conclusively, S. trilobatum leaf extract can be employed as bioreductant agent to synthesis semiconductor nanomaterials for environmental remediation applications.