Switch-On fluorescence and photo-induced electron transfer of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane to ZnO: Dual applications in sensors and antibacterial activity

Abstract

Binding interaction studies of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTS) with sol–gel synthesized ZnO nanocrystals have been carried out by absorption and fluorescence spectral studies. Astonishing consequences have been observed due to electron transfer from APTS to sol–gel synthesized ZnO. APTS acts as a new host for sol–gel synthesized ZnO nanocrystals that augment its fluorescence due to the electron transfer. APTS adsorbs on the surface of the ZnO nanoparticles. Dispersion studies, SEM and FT-IR confirm the adsorption of APTS on the surface of ZnO nanocrystals. Surface treatment of nanoparticles by the fluorophore APTS and its mechanism are discussed in detail. Bacteriological tests such as disk diffusion have been done in nutrient agar media on solid agar plates using different concentrations of ZnO. f-ZnO nanoparticles show remarkable biocidal activity when compared with n-ZnO in repeated experiments.