Synthesis and fabrication of ZnO–CuO doped PVA and ZnO–PbO doped PVA nanocomposite films by using γ-radiolysis and it’s microbial sensor application

Abstract

The fabricated of ZnO–CuO doped PVA and ZnO–PbO doped PVA nanocomposite thin films for determination of Escherichia coli has been investigated. ZnO–CuO doped PVA and ZnO–PbO doped PVA nanocomposite thin films were fabricated by sol–gel spin coating method and were exposed to 60Co γ-radiation source at difference dose rate, between 0 and 30 kGy at room temperature. The resulting materials were investigated using X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), UV–visible spectroscopy and current–voltage (I–V) measurement. The XRD spectra have been performed to observe the formation of crystal phases of all pure ZnO–CuO doped PVA and ZnO–PbO doped PVA thin films. The diffraction patterns reveal good crystalline quality. TEM and FESEM showed the uniform distribution of nanoparticles of metal oxides. Effect of γ-radiation on thin films decreased the crystallite size, surface morphology and grain size of thin films. UV–visible spectroscopy indicates the energy band gap, Eg decreased as the γ-radiation increased. The nanocomposite thin films prepared by γ-radiation can be applied to be used as biosensor materials.