Uniform and Well-Dispersed ZnO:Fe Nanoparticles with High Photoluminescence and Antibacterial Properties Prepared by Soft Chemical Route

Abstract

Fe doped ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized using simple soft chemical route by varying the Fe doping level (5, 10 and 15 at.%). The obtained samples were characterized for their structural, optical, surface morphological and antibacterial properties. XRD profiles confirmed that the synthesized material is nanocrystalline ZnO with hexagonal wurtzite structure. The XRD studies reveal that the crystalline size of Fe doped ZnO nanoparticles are range from 56 to 24 nm. The size of the particle decreases gradually as Fe content is increased. The surface morphological studies confirmed the nanosize of the obtained particles. The FESEM and TEM images show that the particle size reduces after doping. The EDAX profiles confirmed the presence of expected elements in the final product. The Photoluminescence studies showed the occurrence of energy transition from ZnO to dopant site. The antibacterial activity of Fe doped ZnO nanoparticles against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) were found to be significantly higher than that against the Bacillus subtilis (Gram-positive) micro-organism.