Synergistic effect of Mg and Se co-doping on the structural, optical and anti-bacterial activity of ZnO thin films

The present research work demonstrates the fabricating methodology of Mg and Se co-doped ZnO (ZMS) thinfilm using thermal evaporation technique. The microstructural, optical and anti-bacterial properties of Mg-Se co-doped ZnO thin film were investigated for four different Mg and Se concentration levels. X-ray spectra of fabricated thin-films possess polycrystalline hexagonal wurtzite phase having preferred orientation along c-axis. Minor shifting in (002) peak position is observed toward lower angle with increasing Mg and Se doping concentration. The band gap of all synthesized ZMS thin films decreased from 3.25 eV to 2.63 eV with the increasing Mg and Se doping concentration. The fluorescent microscopic images were indicates the reduction in population density of both Staphylococcus aureus NCIM 2901 and Escherichia coli MTCC 723 with increasing Mg and Se doping concentration, which is in good agreement with the anti-bacterial properties. Zone of Inhibition trends investigated using agar disc diffusion method. Hence Mg and Se co-doping in ZnO thin films significantly results in decrement in the band gap, while enhances the anti-bacterial activity of the deposited ZMS thin films against Escherichia coli MTCC 723 and Staphylococcus aureus NCIM 2901.

Automated summary

The study demonstrates the fabrication of Mg and Se co-doped ZnO thin films using thermal evaporation technique, and investigates their microstructural, optical, and anti-bacterial properties. Increasing Mg and Se doping concentrations in ZnO thin films results in a significant decrement in band gap, while enhancing the anti-bacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.