Comparative study between the green template-assisted and template-free synthesis of ZnO nanostructure material properties in terms of their photocatalytic efficiencies

This study explores the synthesis of high-performance ZnO-based photocatalysts, focusing on the impact of synthesis methods on material properties and photocatalytic performance. The comparison of template-assisted and template-free synthesis methods were explored toward the fabrication of ZnO. Using a range of characterization techniques, including SEM, EDX, UV–vis DRS, XRD, and FTIR, we revealed that the template-assisted method produced 3D spherical wurtzite ZnO with some impurities, while the template-free method resulted in pure, 3D flower-like wurtzite ZnO. The key finding of this work is the enhanced photocatalytic activity of template-assisted ZnO, which exhibited 56.3% degradation efficiency of brilliant black dye in 210 min, significantly outperforming the template-free ZnO, which achieved 39.5% degradation under the same conditions. This highlights the potential of template-assisted synthesis in optimizing semiconductor photocatalysts. Additionally, the study advocates the use of non-edible plant leaf extracts in the fabrication of semiconductors, offering a green and sustainable approach to material synthesis. By establishing a comparative framework, this research provides valuable insights into designing more efficient green template photocatalysts for environmental and energy applications.