SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF UN-DOPED AND COPPERDOPED ZINC OXIDE NANOPARTICLES FOR THEIR OPTICAL AND ANTIBACTERIAL STUDIES.

In the present study, synthesis, characterization and antibacterial properties of un-doped and Cu-doped ZnO nanoparticles (NAPs) were explored and also have been investigated the effect of changing the dopant precursor material [Cu(NO3)2 to Cu(NO3)2.3H2O] on the surface morphology and the antibacterial properties of Cu-doped ZnO NAPs. The undoped ZnO NAPs, Cu-doped ZnO NAPs (M1 NAPs, Cu(NO3)2) and (M2 NAPs, Cu(NO3)2.3H2O) were fabricated through co-precipitation method. The synthesized NAPs were characterized by different spectroscopic and analytical techniques such as X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX) and Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. The antibacterial activity of synthesized NAPs was carried out by agar diffusion method against different bacterial strains. Results from XRD, SEM, EDAX and UV-Vis examines confirmed the successful synthesis, crystalline nature and hexagonal wurzite structure of un-doped and M1 NAPs and M2 NAPs with the average grain size of 15.63 nm and 20.18 nm and 28.94 nm; and band gap energy of 3.68, 2.76 eV and 2.10 eV respectively. The synthesized Cudoped ZnO NAPs (M2 NAPs) were disclosed the remarkable and extraordinary antibacterial activity against E. coli, and B. subtilis, with the zone of inhibitions of 31 ± 0.4 mm and 27 ± 0.6 mm, respectively. Better and improved antibacterial propensity was also demonstrated by M1 NAPs than un-doped ZnO NAPs and standard drug. Results thus obtained corroborate and suggest the applications of un-doped ZnO NAPs and Cu-doped ZnO NAPs as antibacterial agents. Therefore, they are worthy candidates for future pharmaceutical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]