Microwave-assisted green synthesis of (Co, Gd) dual doped ZnO nanoparticles using Phyllanthus emblica extract and...

This study reports a microwave-assisted green synthesis of cobalt and gadolinium dual doped ZnO nanoparticles using Phyllanthus emblica extract as a natural bio-stabilizer. The plant-derived phytochemicals enabled an eco-friendly process and improved nanoparticle stability. Structural, morphological, and optical analyses (TEM, XRD, SEM, EDX, UV-Vis) confirmed the successful formation of uniformly dispersed nanoparticles. The crystallite size obtained from XRD decreased from 26.59 to 20.59 nm with increasing Gd content, while TEM analysis showed slightly larger particle sizes ranging from 28.39 to 23 nm, validating the nanoscale dimensions and doping-induced size reduction. The (Co, Gd) dual doped ZnO nanoparticles exhibited strong antibacterial and antioxidant activity, demonstrating their potential to mitigate oxidative stress. Their photocatalytic efficiency was further confirmed through up to 97% degradation of Methyl Orange and Methylene Blue dyes. These combined results demonstrate that green synthesis and dual doping synergistically enhance the functional properties of ZnO nanoparticles, positioning them as promising candidates for environmental remediation, healthcare applications, sunscreen formulations, and active food packaging systems.