Structural, Photocatalytic and Antibacterial Activity of ZnO and ZrO2 Doped ZnO Nanoparticles

A series of ZnO and ZrO2 doped ZnO catalysts were prepared by sol-gel method. X-ray diffraction analysis of these catalysts showed the formation of phase pure nanoparticles with wurtzite ZnO structure. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images emphasized the formation of spherical shaped ZnO and ZrO2 doped ZnO nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) images emphasized that all prepared catalysts are in nanoscale and are spherically shaped. The Methylene Blue (MB) decomposition rate of the synthesized pure ZnO and ZrO2 doped ZnO nanoparticles were studied under the UVVis region. In the UVVis region, synthesized pure ZnO and ZrO2 doped ZnO decomposed Methylene Blue (MB). However, the MB decomposition rate obtained using pure ZnO was much higher than that by doped ZnO. The antibacterial property test was carried out via disk diffusion method, and the result indicated antibacterial activity of the prepared catalysts