Green Synthesis of Quinoline Metal Nanostructures Using Saffron and Lemon Extracts Applied in Organic Light Emitting Diodes

The control over size, shape, and morphology, combined with mild conditions of processing parameters (mainly in terms of temperature and pressure), are important conditions to be fulfilled for sustainable and cost-efficient production of functional inorganic materials. Environmentally friendly methodologies for the controlled synthesis of inorganic nanostructures are a noticeably stimulating research field since this encompasses not only the control of the final composition but also, and more importantly, a fine tuning of the obtained materials in terms of crystallinity (crystalline phase, crystallite size), shape, morphology. In this research, we investigated the green synthesis of organic-metal complex nanoparticles to be used in organic light-emitting diodes using saffron and lemon extracts. Saffron and lemon extracts were used as surfactants for bio-production of Zinc and Cadmium complex nanoparticles. The crystalline structures of Zinc and Cadmium complex nanoparticles were confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). The morphology and the presence of Zinc and Cadmium complex nanoparticles were also analyzed and confirmed by SEM and EDAX. Then, the functional groups of these nanoparticles were studied using FTIR analysis. The optical properties of Zinc and Cadmium complex nanoparticles were confirmed by UV-Vis spectrometry, as well as the luminescence behavior of synthesized Zinc and Cadmium complex nanoparticles were confirmed by photoluminescence spectra (PL) in order to apply OLED as light-emitting and electron transporting layers.