UV-blocking performance and antibacterial activity of Cd, Ba co-doped ZnO nanomaterials prepared by a facile wet chemical method

The utilization of highly efficient ultraviolet (UV)-attenuating materials has inevitably signaled an ever-increasing demand to mitigate the impending pessimistic impact of UV rays that consistently depletes the ozone atmosphere. In this context, a highly efficient Cd, Ba co-doped ZnO nanomaterial has been prepared using a facile wet chemical approach. X-ray diffractometer analysis indicates the evolution of wurtzite structure of ZnO with a slight peak shift towards the higher angle upon co-doping which ascertains the impacted lattice contraction. N-2 adsorption/desorption isotherms of the material supplement magnificently a typical type-IV behavior displaying an H1 type hysteresis loop at high pressures whereby authorizing the open meso-porous characteristics. The resulting Cd, Ba co-doped ZnO nanorods disclose integrated performances of widespread polychromatic UV-visible luminescent emission, wide band gap, and enhanced UV absorbance. In particular, Cd, Ba co-doped ZnO nanorods impart a positive UV-blocking execution of 97% for UVA at 360 nm and 88% for UVB at 320 nm, which is found to be higher than most of the reported ZnO-related materials. Besides these intriguing aforementioned properties, co-doping is also appropriate for imparting better bacterial inhibition against the two tested strains (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus). Altogether, these results indicate that the co-doped ZnO nanorods developed in the current investigation could potentially serve as a propitious alternative UV-blocking material, especially for biomedical applications.

Automated summary

A highly efficient Cd, Ba co-doped ZnO nanomaterial with integrated performances of widespread polychromatic UV-visible luminescent emission, wide band gap, and enhanced UV absorbance has been prepared. It shows a positive UV-blocking execution and better bacterial inhibition, making it a promising alternative UV-blocking material for biomedical applications.