Shape Of ZnO Nanoparticles Research Articles

Contact electro catalysis driven degradation of malachite green dye by RGO/ZnO nanohybrid

This work demonstrates the potential of reduced graphene/zinc oxide (RGO/ZnO) nanohybrid for the degradation of malachite green dye (MG) via involving the mechanochemistry contact electro catalysis (CEC) approach through electronic transfer. Dielectric and piezoelectric RGO/ZnO nanohybrid in contact with aqueous medium offers electron transfer via direct catalytic reaction at solid-liquid interface which promotes CEC process than that of conventional photocatalysis. RGO/ZnO nanohybrid is prepared via ultrafast microwave irradiation method in 60 s using Mangifera indica leaves extract as a green reducing agent. The prepared RGO/ZnO nanohybrid is characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and UV–Visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy. XRD analysis reveals the formation of pure ZnO with wurtzite hexagonal phase and signature reflection of the RGO. Raman, FTIR and UV–Vis spectroscopy results confirm the presence of bands corresponding to ZnO and RGO and hence the formation of RGO/ZnO nanohybrid without any impurity phase. Field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) reveals the growth of spherical shaped ZnO nanoparticles over the RGO matrix. The average particle size of ZnO nanoparticles is ⁓ 9.2 nm. Catalytic properties of RGO/ZnO nanohybrid is investigated by using 10 mg and 20 mg dosage in aqueous solution of MG. About 85.72 % degradation efficiency for MG in 60 min is achieved by using 20 mg RGO/ZnO nanohybrid via sonication through CEC process. Probably, contact electrolysis at ZnO-water interface induces electronic exchange and generation of free radicals to degrade the dye molecules. Reaction kinetics analysis reveals the suitability of the pseudo first-order kinetics for dye degradation and reusability of RGO/ZnO nanohybrid confirms its excellent stability up to three cycles with 60 % degradation ability. This research establishes RGO/ZnO nanohybrid as highly promising catalytic agents for wastewater treatment and hazard free CEC approach.

Enhancement of Visible Light Antibacterial Activities of Cellulose Fibers from Lotus Petiole Decorated ZnO Nanoparticles.

Cellulose/ZnO (CZ) nanocomposites are promising antimicrobial materials known for their antibiotic-free nature, biocompatibility, and environmental friendliness. In this study, cellulose fibers extracted from lotus petioles were utilized as a substrate and decorated with various shapes of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs), including small bean, hexagonal ingot-like, long cylindrical, and hexagonal cylinder-shaped NPs. Increasing zinc salt molar concentration resulted in highly crystalline ZnO NPs forming and enhanced interactions between ZnO NPs and -OH groups of cellulose. The thermal stability and UV-visible absorption properties of the CZ samples were influenced by ZnO concentration. Notably, at a ZnO molar ratio of 0.1, the CZ 0.1 sample demonstrated the lowest weight loss, while the optical band gap gradually decreased from 3.0 to 2.45eV from the CZ 0.01 to CZ 1.0 samples. The CZ nanocomposites exhibited remarkable antibacterial activity against both Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus, Gram-positive) and Escherichia coli (E. coli, Gram-negative) bacteria under visible light conditions, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.005mg/mL for both bacterial strains. The bactericidal effects increased with higher concentrations of ZnO NPs, even achieving 100% inhibition. Incorporating ZnO NPs onto cellulose fibers derived from lotus plants presents a promising avenue for developing environmentally friendly materials with broad applications in antibacterial and environmental fields.

Physicochemical properties of green synthesised ZnO nanoparticles and utilisation for treatment of breast cancer

Metal oxide nanoparticles with unique properties have recently attracted much attention as a potential smart material for treatment of cancer. The inherent structural and ionic defects in ZnO nanoparticles allow the formation of intracellular superoxide and hydroxyl radicals after entering a cancer cell causing damage on DNA and preventing subsequent replication. However, the full extent of the DNA damage and the knock-on effect with respect to protein synthesis is not copiously comprehended. This study tries to tune the cytotoxic activity of ZnO nanoparticles in virtue of physicochemical property against human breast cancer cell (MCF-7) via reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced DNA damage leading to apoptosis. In order to produce an array of different size and shape of ZnO nanoparticles with varying structural defects, this study utilised the unique phytochemicals of Terminalia arjuna, Swertia chirayita, and Psidium guajava as the active reducing agents for the formation of the nanoparticle from the mineral salt. Variations in the created nanoparticle size and relative structural defects have caused a consequential surge in ROS production inside cancer cells resulting in enhanced effectiveness of ZnO nanoparticles for cancer treatment.

Design and synthesis of TiO2/ZnO nanocomposite with enhanced oxygen vacancy: Better photocatalytic removal of MB dye under visible light-driven condition

• TiO 2 /ZnO nanocomposite was synthesized by a facile hydrothermal route. • C. verum leaf extract was utilized as a bio-reducing and templating agent. • TiO 2 /ZnO (0.5mol) exhibited superior photocatalytic activity against MB dye removal. • TiO 2 /ZnO increases surface oxygen vacancy supressing recombination of e - -h + pair. • Excellent catalytic performance is owing to controlled surface oxygen vacancy and small particle size. Construction of capable, affordable, transition metal-based catalysts featuring photocatalytic behaviour is urgently required and important. Herein, for the first time we have synthesized an eco-friendly, capsule shaped ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) anchored upon TiO 2 nanoplates, by utilizing bio-active components available in Cinnamon verum leaf extract. The bio-active components, linalool and phytol served as a self-reducing and gapping agent that enrich the surface with oxygen vacancy without disrupting lattice arrangement. The XRD results confirms presence of wurtzite ZnO, anatase and rutile TiO 2 NPs. Anatase TiO 2 with ZnO supress the electron-hole pair recombination effect. The delayed luminescence behaviour is consistent with the UV-DRS results and suggests that the band gap of TiO 2 /ZnO has been widened. SEM with EDX results justifies that TiO 2 /ZnO nanocomposite mounted oxygen vacancy in a controlled phenomenon, which can boost the separation efficacy of photogenerated carriers and is in good agreement with the PL results. Under visible light irradiation for 60 minutes, TiO 2 /ZnO significantly improves photocatalytic degradation for aqueous organic dye pollutants. The k value of the TiO 2 /ZnO (0.5 mol) nanocomposite is 2.5x10 -2 mint -1 which is comparably higher. The unusual nanoarchitecture, high surface area, and wide band gap of TiO 2 /ZnO are primarily responsible for its noticeably improved photodegradation performance.

0D + 1D = 1D Zn-orotate-Bimb polyrotaxane coordination polymer: Synthesis, structure, thermogravimetric and variable temperature luminescence analysis

A new polyrotaxane coordination polymer {[Zn(Or)(Bimb)(H2O)]2·6H2O}n(1) has been synthesized using Zn(II) ion with 1,4-bis[(1H-imidazol-1-yl)methyl]benzene) (Bimb) and potassium orotate (OrK) ligands at ambient temperature. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, variable temperature Powder X-ray diffraction (VT-PXRD), variable temperature FTIR (VT-FTIR) and TG/DT/TDG were used to characterize the complex. Complex (1) contains 0D binuclear Zn(1)–based molecular “loop”, 1D Zn(2)–based molecular “string” yielding to 0D + 1D = 1D polyrotaxane coordination polymers. Supramolecular network in complex (1) is stabilized by classical strong NH∙∙∙O and OH∙∙∙O hydrogen bonds resulting in the formation of 2D inter-layer polyrotaxane coordination polymers and 3D supramolecular network via these non-covalent interactions. The solid-state variable temperature-luminescence studies of as synthesized and heated forms of (1) emit strong luminescence in the range of 363–439 nm (2.82–3.41 eV) with slight contrast in physical façade. The thermal breakdown of (1) yielded spherical shaped ZnO nanoparticles with diameters of ̴ 32 nm, as confirmed by FESEM, EDAX.

Phytofabricated zinc oxide nanoparticles as a nanofungicide for management of Alternaria blight of Brassica

Plant pathogens resistant to the commercially available fungicides and bactericides even at higher concentrations are the biggest challenge for the farmers to control the losses due to plant diseases. The antibacterial and antifungal potential of nanomaterials makes them a suitable candidate for the control of plant diseases. Thus, the present study reports the phytofabricated zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO Np's) using aqueous plant leaf extract of Terminalia bellerica (Baheda). Characterization of ZnO nanoparticles was done by ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) studies, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infra-red (FT-IR) analysis, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The presence of pure hexagonal wurtzite crystalline structure of ZnO nanoparticles was confirmed by XRD analysis. The TEM images revealed the spherical to hexagonal shaped ZnO nanoparticles with sizes ranging from 20 to 30nm. The stabilization of synthesized ZnO nanoparticles through the interactions of terpenoids, steroids, phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and enzymes present in the leaf extract was suggested by FTIR analysis. The mechanism of the formation of ZnO nanoparticles using Terminalia bellerica (Baheda) (Tb-ZnO Np's) as a bioactive compound is proposed. These phytofabricated ZnO nanoparticles (Tb-ZnO Np's) have shown significant antifungal potential against Alternaria brassicae the causal agent of Alternaria blight disease/leaf spot disease in Brassica species. The microscopic results confirm the changes in mycelium morphology and reduction in the number of spore germination at 0.2mg/mL concentration Tb-ZnO Np's.

Photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) dye in waste water and enzymatic inhibition study using cauliflower shaped ZnO nanoparticles synthesized by a novel One-pot green synthesis method

The ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) are considered to be one of the inexpensive and very important bioactive materials widely used in drug delivery, as a photo-catalyst material, antibacterial, bioimaging, anticancer, anti-inflammation, wound healing, and diabetes treatment. Therefore, we have prepared ZnO NPs using Alchemilla vulgaris (Lady’s mantle) leaves and investigated their anti-enzymatic properties. Phases of the ZnO NPs were determined from X-Ray diffraction (XRD) spectra. The shape and size of the green synthesized NPs were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and it confirms the cauliflower shape with an average size of 120 nm. But the beads inside the cauliflower shape are 20 nm in size. The prepared ZnO NPs show the cumulative median particle size of 550 nm. The thermogravimetric (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) were performed at different heating rates to study the percentage of weight loss, and activation energy. The activation energy was calculated to be 4.98 kJ/moles using Kissinger method. We also studied the enzyme inhibition effect of ZnO NPs containing biologically active groups on important metabolic enzymes like butyrylcholinesterase(BChE), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and α-glycosidase (α-Gly) enzymes. The bandgap of ZnO NPs was also studied by UV–Vis spectroscopy via Tauc's method and it was determined to be 3.27 eV. The photocatalytic property of the ZnO NPs was executed against rhodamine B (RhB) under the illumination of an AM 1.5 solar simulator.

Optical and magnetic investigation of Cu doped ZnO nanoparticles synthesized by solid state method

The pure and different parentage of copper doped ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized by solid state method. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterization of XRD, SEM, FT-IR, UV–Vis and PL technique. The XRD studies exhibited the good crystalline nature in different nanometer range crystal size with different doping percentage of copper. SEM micrograph shows that the well- dispersed highly agglomerated, accompanying almost well-defined crystalline nature and rod shaped ZnO nanoparticles. The PL spectra for ZnO (pure) and Copper doped ZnO nanoparticles is the formation of a new broad peak at 505 nm arises from the widening or redshift effects of the pre-existing peak at 381 nm. This confirms the enhanced visible light optical activity observed with (8%) Cu-ZnO-Nanoparticles.

Morphology-Controlled Synthesis of ZnO Nanostructures for Caffeine Degradation and Escherichia coli Inactivation in Water

Photocatalytic and antibacterial activity of nanoparticles are strongly governed by their morphology. By varying the type of solvent used, one can obtain different shapes of ZnO nanoparticles and tune the amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and metal ion (Zn2+) generation, which in turn dictates their activity. ZnO nanostructures were fabricated via facile wet chemical method by varying the type of solvents. Solar light assisted photocatalytic degradation of caffeine and antibacterial activity against E. coli were examined in presence ZnO nanostructures. In addition to an elaborate nanoparticle characterization, adsorption and kinetic experiments were performed to determine the ability of nanostructures to degrade caffeine. Zone of inhibition, time kill assay and electron microscopy imaging were carried out to assess the antibacterial activity. Experimental findings indicate that ZnO nanospheres generated maximum ROS and Zn2+ ions followed by ZnO nanopetals and ZnO nanorods. As a result, ZnO nanospheres exhibited highest degradation of caffeine as well as killing of E. coli. While ROS is mainly responsible for the photocatalytic activity of nanostructures, their antibacterial activity is mostly due to the combination of ROS, metal ion, physical attrition and cell internalization.

Study of ZnO Nanoparticles-Decorated TiO<sub>2</sub> {001} Facets Heterostructures and their Photocatalytic Activity

ZnO decorated-TiO2 nanosheets with exposed {001} facets were achieved by a simple hydrothermal method. The size and shape of ZnO nanoparticles were controlled by tuning the growth temperature. SEM, HRTEM, and SAED measurements confirmed the formation of {001} TiO2 nanosheets with the decoration of ZnO nanoparticles. The ZnO/TiO2 {001} facets heterostructures show an improved efficient in photocatalytic activities due to the decreased charge recombination with the presence of ZnO nanocrystals.

Tuning the Photocatalytic Performance of Plasmonic Nanocomposites (ZnO/Aux) Driven in Visible Light

: In this article, we explored the possibility of controlling the reactivity of ZnO nanostructures by modifying its surface with gold nanoparticles (Au NPs). By varying the concentration of Au with different wt% (x = 0.01, 0.05, 0.08, 1 and 2), we have synthesized a series of (ZnO/Aux) nanocomposites (NCs). A thorough investigation of the photocatalytic performance of different wt% of Au NPs on ZnO nanosurface has been carried out. It was observed that ZnO/Au0.08 nanocomposite showed the highest photocatalytic activity among all concentrations of Au on the ZnO surface, which degrades the dye concentration within 2 minutes of visible light exposure. It was further revealed that with an increase in the size of plasmonic nanoparticles beyond 0.08%, the accessible surface area of the Au nanoparticle decreases. The photon absorption capacity of Au nanoparticle decreases beyond 0.08% resulting in a decrease in electron transfer rate from Au to ZnO and a decrease of photocatalytic activity. Background: Due to the industrialization process, most of the toxic materials go into the water bodies, affecting the water and our ecological system. The conventional techniques to remove dyes are expensive and inefficient. Recently, heterogeneous semiconductor materials like TiO2 and ZnO have been regarded as potential candidates for the removal of dye from the water system. Objective: To investigate the photocatalytic performance of different wt% of Au NPs on ZnO nanosurface and the effect of the size of Au NPs for photocatalytic performance in the degradation process. Methods: A facile microwave method has been adopted for the synthesis of ZnO nanostructure followed by a reduction of gold salt in the presence of ZnO nanostructure to form the composite. Results: ZnO/Au0.08 nanocomposite showed the highest photocatalytic activity which degrades the dye concentration within 2 minutes of visible light exposure. The schematic mechanism of electron transfer rate was discussed. Conclusion: Raspberry shaped ZnO nanoparticles modified with different percentages of Au NPs showed good photocatalytic behavior in the degradation of dye molecules. The synergetic effect of unique morphology of ZnO and well anchored Au nanostructures plays a crucial role.

Comparison Study on Antimicrobial and Photocatalytic Activity of Different Shaped ZnO Nanoparticles

ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were synthesized through surfactant free non-hydrolytic organic phase method in which zinc acetate and zinc acetylacetonate were selected as precursors. Structural and size analysis of the as-prepared nanoparticles performed on X-ray diffractometer, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that the obtained nanoparticles were crystalline particles with all reflections matching to wurtzite. TEM images revealed that ZnO NPs from synthesis in which zinc acetate involved as precursor had a shape of sphere while zinc acetylacetonate resulted in rod-shaped nanoparticles. Reaction rates from catalytic activity test performed on Methylene Blue dye (MB) were found to be 2.99×10-2 min-1 and 1.98×10-2 min-1 for spherical and rod-shaped ZnO NPs, respectively. Antibacterial activity experiments shows rod-shaped ZnO NPs almost completely (99.75%) inhibited the growth of Escherichia Coli while only around 6.5% was survived after treatment of spherical ZnO NPs under same conditions.

Structural, optical, electronic and magnetic properties of multiphase ZnO/Zn(OH)2/ZnO2 nanocomposites and hexagonal prism shaped ZnO nanoparticles synthesized by pulse laser ablation in Heptanes

We have studied structural, optical, electronic and magnetic properties of undoped well crystalline hexagonal and non-hexagonal ZnO system. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high resolution transmission electron micrographs (HRTEM) of air annealed at 550 °C (sample-d) confirmed the presence of hexagonal (wurtzite) single phase ZnO. Raman analysis detected the vibrations of fundamental and second order phonons of Zn and oxygen related species. In Photoluminescence (PL) spectra, we observed that the intensity of UV peak decreases as annealing temperature increases. Broad PL visible band of samples shifted towards lower wavelength due to annealing effects. Fitting of broad PL spectra confirmed the existence of Zinc interstitial (Zni), Zinc vacancy (VZn) and oxygen vacancy (Vo) defects. To determine the Zn interstitial and vacancy defects Auger peaks were de-convoluted from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) survey scan. Oxygen vacancies are estimated by fitting of asymmetric XPS O-1s spectra. Incomplete oxidation of magnetization versus temperature in the presence of applied field showed the presence of irreversibility in 550 °C annealed-sample. Zn clusters and secondary phases are may be reason of room temperature ferromagnetism in non-hexagonal samples (a-c). While, complex defect (zinc and oxygen vacancies) as observed in electronic and PL data may be responsible for inducing, promoting and stabilizing room temperature ferromagnetism in well crystalline hexagonal ZnO nanoparticles (sample-d).

Effect of ZnO Nanoparticles on the Simultaneous Improvement in Curing and Mechanical Properties of NR/ Recycled EPDM Blends

Recycling of rubber waste and searching for alternative routes to decreasing the loading of ZnO are of significant concern due to their input on environmental aspect. In this respect, recycled ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM) rubber has been used in an attempt to create a value-added rubber material based on natural rubber/recycled EPDM blends. ZnO nanoparticles were also incorporated as a way to replace the conventional ZnO together with the aim of improving the curing and mechanical properties of the blends. Spherical and elongated shapes of ZnO nanoparticles were synthesised by a homogeneous precipitation method and were then characterised by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and X-Ray diffraction analysis. Synthesised ZnO nanoparticles were found to have no impurities and had a dimension ranging from 10–40 nm. The study confirmed that ZnO nanoparticles showed a better state of curing and higher maximum torque with a significant decrease in optimum curing time and scorching time. It was also observed that a low content of ZnO nanoparticles was sufficient to give higher mechanical properties compared to one containing a higher content of conventional ZnO.

Enhanced Red Emission in Ultrasound‐Assisted Sol‐Gel Derived ZnO/PMMA Nanocomposite

Cost‐effective methods for preparing ZnO nanostructures are of importance for the deployment of ZnO in many applications including n‐type conduits, catalysts, nanophosphor, and optoelectronics. Herein, we present a room‐temperature sol‐gel method with the aid of ultrasonication to prepare white‐emitting ZnO nanoparticles (NPs). X‐ray diffraction and electron microscopic analyses revealed that the size and shape of ZnO NPs can be controlled simply by changing the concentration of the Zn precursor. The ZnO NPs had a broad photoluminescence emission, ranging from 450 nm to 800 nm, while their composite in PMMA matrix showed an enhancement in the red region induced by ZnO‐PMMA interfacial band‐bending effects. The results demonstrated herein promise a simple tool for control over size, shape, and emission of ZnO materials for diverse applications.

Effect of Shape on Thermophysical and Heat Transfer Properties of ZnO/R-134a Nanorefrigerant

Presently, nanorefrigerant becoming the important class of nanofluids due to its heat transfer performances of refrigeration and air-conditioning systems. In the present study, we analyze the effect of shape on the thermophysical and heat transfer properties of ZnO/R-134a nanorefrigerant. The spherical and cubic shape ZnO nanoparticles used in this study for addition in refrigerant. The results of study indicate that the thermophysical and heat transfer properties significantly affected by shape of ZnO nanoparticles. In case of cubic ZnO nanoparticles, 42.5% of increment observed over the pure refrigerant. This preliminary study about the effect of shape on thermophysical and heat transfer properties shows that ZnO/R-134a nanorefrigerant suitable for refrigeration and air-conditioning systems.

Facile green fabrication of ZnO nanopowders: Their antibacterial, antifungal and photoluminescent properties

Green synthesis of multifunctional Zinc oxide nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by low temperature solution combustion route employing mimosa pudica leaves extract as fuel. The obtained ZnO NPs were characterized by PXRD, FTIR, and UV-Visible spectroscopic studies. The Morphologies were studied by SEM. The NPs were subjected for photoluminescence, antibacterial and antifungal activity studies. PXRD pattern confirmed the hexagonal wurtzite structure of the product. The particle size was calculated by means of PXRD profile and it was found to be in the range of 10-15nm. SEM images indicated the formation of various shaped ZnO NPs. The NPs exhibited prominent green emission due to the presence of intrinsic defect centers. The antibacterial studies indicated that ZnO NPs of concentration 500, 750 and 1000 µg resulted in significant antibacterial activity on E. coli, B. subtilis and Pseudomonas aureguinosa in agar well diffusion method. Also the ZnO NPs of concentration 500, 750 and 1000 µg showed good antifungal activity on A. flavus and F. oxyporum but not in A. niger. The current investigation demonstrated green engineering method for the synthesis of multifunctional ZnO NPs with interesting morphologies, antibacterial and antifungal activities using mimosa pudica leaves extract

A surface expressed alkaline phosphatase biosensor modified with flower shaped ZnO for the detection of chlorpyrifos

Abstract A simple and rapid Chlorella sp. surface expressed alkaline phosphatase (AP-algae) biosensor modified with flower shaped ZnO nanoparticles for the determination of chlorpyrifos in an aqueous medium was developed. The detection principle was based on the inhibition of AP-algae in presence of chlorpyrifos. Enzyme would dephosphorylate the phosphate monoester of substrate 2-phospho- l -ascorbic acid to release l -ascorbic acid, which was monitored using voltammetric and ISFET techniques. The presence of pesticide would inhibit AP-algae enzyme activity and hence the current magnitude decreases. The decrease in current is quantitative in nature and used for determination of concentration of the pesticide. Flower shape ZnO nanoparticles not only provide surface for adsorption of AP-algae for better immobilization but also increases electron-transfer kinetics and sensitivity of the biosensor. The voltammetric and ISFET methods could measure chlorpyrifos in the linear concentration range from 10−9 M to 10−1 M and 10−10 M to 10−3 M, respectively, with nil interference from triazophos, malathion, acephate and some metal ions. Application aspects of the proposed biosensor were demonstrated using extracted soil samples and showed excellent reproducibility and reliability.

Removal of Congo red and Brilliant green dyes from aqueous solution using flower shaped ZnO nanoparticles

This work reports preparation and characterization of ZnO nanoparticles prepared by low temperature hydrothermal methods and their application for anionic dye (Congo red) and cationic dye (Brilliant green) removal from aqueous medium. The adsorption capacity of ZnO nanoparticles for Congo red dye and Brilliant green dye was up to 71.4 and 238mg/g, respectively under selected process conditions. Dye adsorption behaviour has been explained applying different isotherms. Freundlich isotherm model best fitted to the dye removal data. Adsorption kinetics of both dyes is well explained by pseudo-second order model. Physical adsorption has been investigated using thermodynamic parameters viz., Gibb’s free energy (ΔG⁰), enthalpy (ΔH⁰) and entropy (ΔS⁰). The reusability of ZnO nanoparticles was examined upto three cycles.

Structural, optical and antibacterial activity studies of Ce-doped ZnO nanoparticles prepared by wet-chemical method

In this paper, pure and rare earth (Cerium) doped ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized via simple wet-chemical technique at low temperature. The structural analyses were carried out by Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and it is reveal that the synthesized nanoparticles were well-crystalline and possessing hexagonal wurtzite structure. HR-SEM images depicted the homogenous spherical shaped ZnO nanoparticles. EDX analysis confirmed the presence of Ce ions into ZnO lattice. UV–Visible absorption spectra showed that the optical band gap value of pure ZnO decreased by Ce doping. PL spectra confirmed that the effective Ce doping enhances the visible emission and suppresses the near band gap emission. The presence of functional groups was confirmed by employing FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy studies. The bactericidal efficiency of Ce doped ZnO nanoparticles were investigated against a Gram positive (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram negative bacteria (Proteus mirabilis, Salmonella typhi).