Aromatic Plants and Their Role in Metal Oxide Nanoparticle Synthesis, Characterisation and Applications

Abstract

The rapid advancement of nanotechnology has sparked growing interest in sustainable, green approach for fabrication of nanoparticles (NPs). Aromatic plants, which are rich in phytochemicals such as flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolics and alkaloids, offer an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to conventional chemical methods. This chapter highlights the significant role of aromatic plant extracts in the biosynthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles (MONPs), emphasising functions of phytochemical as reducing and stabilising agent and how various phys- icochemical parameters influence NP growth. Moreover, the chapter also explores the use of different analytical techniques such as UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier- transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and zeta potential to characterise the properties of synthesised NPs. In addition, the application of biosynthesised MONPs in catalysis, agriculture, environmental remediation and biomedicine has been overviewed, demonstrating their multifunctional potential.