Effects of Nd doping on structural, optical, morphological and surface-chemical state analysis of ZnO nanoparticles for antimicrobial and anticancer activities

Zinc oxide NPs and various concentrations of Nd-ZnO NPs were prepared using a chemical precipitation process. Synthesized nanoparticles have been characterised by X-Ray Diffraction, Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscope, Transmission Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, Micro-Raman and Photo Luminescence (PL) Spectra in order to study structural functional, morphological, elementary and compositional groups. XRD data verified the hexagonal wurtzite structure of the ZnO and Nd-ZnO NPs. Zn-O stretching frequencies ZnO and Nd-ZnO were observed at 423, 466, 423 and 452 cm-1, respectively, from the FTIR spectra. The morphological changes of ZnO and Nd-ZnO NPs have been confirmed by SEM and TEM. The EDAX spectra confirms the chemical composition of the elements involved. XPS confirms the oxidation status of the elements concerned. The peak at 432 cm-1 of the Raman spectra is the E2 phonon mode of the metal oxide NPs involved. The improved photoluminescent properties of Nd-ZnO compared to ZnO NPs are shown by the Photoluminescent (PL) spectra. The antibacterial activity of the synthesised nanoparticles against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria indicates that the highest concentration of Nd-ZnO (Zn1-xNdxO when x=0.15) shows higher antibacterial activity. The anticancer activity of the synthesised nanoparticles has shown that the low concentration of Nd-ZnO (at Nd concentration is 0.05) is adequate for the 50 percent of cell mortality. [Display omitted]