Synthesis of Photoactive ZnO–SnO2–Ag(AgCl) Nanomaterials for Medical and Ecological Applications and Study of Their Structure and Properties

Photoactive ZnO–SnO 2 –Ag(AgCl) nanomaterials capable of generating chemically active single oxygen under action of UV and blue light are synthesized using a polymer–salt method. The structure and properties of these materials are studied by optical and luminescence spectroscopy, as well as by X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy analyses. It is found that the structure of the ZnO–SnO 2 –Ag(AgCl) materials consists of hexagonal ZnO crystals with a wurtzite structure, tetragonal SnO 2 nanocrystals with a rutile structure, and Ag and AgCl crystals. The materials consist mainly of nanoparticles 50–60 nm is size. They are characterized by the ability to generate chemically active singlet oxygen and have antibacterial properties against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. An increase in the concentration of silver in the materials enhances their antibacterial properties.