Bse 3d

The morphological features of E. radiata mediated nano ZnO samples were determined spectroscopically and microscopically. Scanning electron microscopy (SU3500, Hitachi) with an attached spectral imaging system (Thermo Scientific NSS (EDS)) and detector tape (BSE-3D) operating with conditions (10.0 kV voltage; 11.6 mm distance; 40 Pa pressure) was used to determine the elemental composition and purity of the samples. Furthermore, transmission electron microscope (JOEL 1230, Japan) was used in confirming the particle shape and size of the as-prepared nano ZnO samples. Sample preparation followed the procedure reported by Nuraqeelah et al., [57 (link)]. Briefly, the nano ZnO sample was placed on an aluminium plate and coated with Platinum for SEM analysis. On the other hand, TEM analysis was carried out by dropping 4 μL of the diluted sample onto a coated copper grid and observed under the microscope. The average particle size of each sample was then determined using IMAGE J software version 1.53t where 10–30 particles were used.
Infrared spectroscopy on the synthesized nano ZnO samples was carried out to determine the surface functional groups with spectrometer (Thermo Scientific Nicolet iS10, USA) at a range of 4000–400 cm⁻¹ and resolution of 4 cm⁻¹. Potassium bromide powder technique reported by Yang et al. [58 (link)], was used for this study.