Tuning the combined magnetic and antibacterial properties of ZnO nanopowders through Mn doping for biomedical applications

• Published in: Journal of magnetism and magnetic materials 2014-05, Vol.358-359, p.50-55
• Main Authors: Ravichandran, K., Karthika, K., Sakthivel, B., Jabena Begum, N., Snega, S., Swaminathan, K., Senthamilselvi, V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antibacterial activity; Antibacterial properties; Antiinfectives and antibacterials; Bacteria; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Doping; Escherichia coli; Exact sciences and technology; Ferromagnetism; Magnetic properties and materials; Magnetic properties of nanostructures; Magnetic property; Manganese; Nanocrystals and nanoparticles; Nanostructure; Optical properties and condensed-matter spectroscopy and other interactions of matter with particles and radiation; Optical properties of low-dimensional, mesoscopic, and nanoscale materials and structures; Physics; Soft chemical route; Zinc oxide; ZnO:Mn nanopowder
• ISSN: 0304-8853
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmmm.2014.01.008

Manganese (Mn) doped ZnO nanopowders (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10at%) were synthesized using a simple soft chemical route and their structural, optical, surface morphological, magnetic and antibacterial properties were investigated. Structural studies show that the nanopowders exhibit hexagonal wurtzite structure of ZnO. No other secondary phases like MnO2, MnO, Mn3O4 and Mn2O3 are observed. The blue shift observed in the photoluminescence spectra beyond the Mn doping level of 6at% shows that there is an increase in the carrier concentration, caused by the interstitial incorporation of Zn and Mn in the ZnO matrix. From the antibacterial studies, it is found that ZnO:Mn nanopowders with higher Mn doping level (8 and 10at%) exhibit good antibacterial efficiency against Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria. The magnetization curves obtained using vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) show a sign of strong room temperature ferromagnetic behavior when the Mn doping level is 6at% and a weak room temperature ferromagnetic behavior, when the Mn doping level is below 6at%. Beyond 6at% they are found to exhibit antiferromagnetic and paramagnetic properties, when the Mn doping levels are 8 and 10at%, respectively. The SEM images indicate that there is a gradual decrease in the grain size with increase in the Mn doping level. The EDAX profile clearly confirms the presence of expected elements in the final product, in appropriate proportions. •Report on unique combined magnetic and antibacterial study of ZnO:Mn nanopowders.•Magnetic, surface and antibacterial properties are corroborated appropriately.•A simple low-cost synthesis procedure is adopted.