Influence of Sm doped ZnO nanoparticles with enhanced photoluminescence and antibacterial efficiency

Samarium doped Zinc Oxide nanoparticles are prepared by using soft chemical route with different doping concentrations. The structural studies indicated that doping does not affect the structure of ZnO lattice. The shape and size of the nanoparticles are analyzed using the FESEM and TEM images. The photoluminescence spectrum shows the increases in the intensity of violet and blue emission peaks as the concentration of dopant increases. Antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus (S. Aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacterial strains using the agar well diffusion method were studied. The increased diameter of the zone of inhibition at the higher concentration of samarium shows the enhanced efficiency of antibacterial activity.