Green synthesis of hierarchical ZnO nanostructure with Gracilaria Corticata red algae powder and the study of its photo-catalytic and electro-catalytic applications

Zinc oxide was synthesized through a green method with Gracilaria Corticata red algae powder. The prepared zinc oxide was characterized by means of FESEM, XRD and EDX analysis. FESEM images showed the hierarchical nanostructure for ZnO particles with the average plate thickness of 31 nm. XRD pattern showed the wurtzite structure for ZnO. EDX analysis showed the existence of algae powder in the sample. The prepared ZnO was used as a photocatalyst for the degradation of malachite green dye under sun radiation. It was also used for the modification of carbon paste electrode for detection of dopamine by means of cyclic voltammetry.