In this research, Zinc Oxide nanoparticles were synthesized via a green, environment friendly, health caring, inexpensive and high yield method. ZnO nanoparticles with quasi-spherical morphology (shape) were prepared using a modified sol-gel method and zinc acetate, as Zn 2+ source, ethylene glycol as chelating and gelling agent, at the presence of a herb extract. Samples were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, FE-SEM and elemental analysis. The ZnO nanoparticles have hexagonal structure and the calculated (average) size, using Scherrer equation, is 20 nanometer. Photocatalytic degradation of Methylene Blue, Reactive Blue 21, Reactive Orange 5, Reactive Red 120 solutions by ZnO nanoparticles were investigated. Degradation percentages (efficiency) of these industrial dyes during 120 minute of UV irradiation were 96.00, 96.37, 91.12, and 94.38 respectively. Results determine a suitable photocatalytic activity of the ZnO nanoparticles. Also, antibacterial properties of the disinfectant ZnO nanoparticles were tested over (against) Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.
