Here we report green synthesis of highly crystalline ZnO and CuO nanoparticles (NPs) by oak fruit hull (Jaft) as reducing and stabilizing agent. This method is nontoxic, eco-friendly and low cost in comparison with chemical and/or physical techniques. The characterization of obtained particles was studied by using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results indicating that NPs synthesized by Jaft extract have high purity and the average particle size is 34 nm. The ZnO NPs exhibited photocatalytic activity higher than CuO NPs for degradation of basic violet 3 dye in water at room temperature. The amount of basic violet 3 dye degradation by metal oxide NPs were studied by employing UV–Vis spectroscopy. Furthermore, the degradation of basic violet 3 using metal oxide NPs followed pseudo-first-order kinetics.
