The Effect of Ag-Doping on the Cytotoxicity of ZnO Nanostructures Grown on Ag/Si Substrates by APMOCVD

Abstract

The search and development of new nanostructures and nanomaterials are very important for the progress of nanotechnology and modern microbiology. Due to the unique properties of silver and zinc oxide, these nanoparticles are the optimal basis for creating nanostructures with potential antiviral activity. An important issue in these studies is the establishment of cytotoxicity of these nanoparticles and their composites. Aim. To define the influence of substrate temperature and Ag concentration in ZnO lattice on the microstructure and cytotoxicity of zinc oxide nanostructures. Methods. Pure and Ag-doped ZnO nanostructures were grown on Ag/Si substrates by atmospheric pressure metalorganic chemical vapor deposition method using a mixture of zinc acetylacetonate and silver acetylacetonate powders as a precursor. Argentum thin films were deposited on Si substrates by a thermal evaporation method. MTT-assay was used for the analysis of MDBK and MDCK cell viability in the definition of zinc oxide nanostructure cytotoxicity. Results. Ag-doped zinc oxide nanostructures were grown and characterized by X-ray diff raction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. It was found that Si substrate and pure zinc oxide do not inhibit the cell viability of both epithelial cultures whereas Ag-doped ZnO nanostructures inhibit the cell viability because of all-time exposure in a sample without dilution. The cytotoxic effect was not observed at higher dilutions for Ag-doped zinc oxide nanostructures. Conclusions. The investigation of the effect of Ag-doping on the morphology and cytotoxicity of zinc oxide nanostructures is very important for implementing zinc oxide nanostructures into the current optoelectronics and photocatalysis.