Abstract
Pure and zinc-doped CdO NPs (Zn-CdO NPs) were synthesized through a facile co-precipitation method. The structural, morphology, chemical composition, optical and antibacterial activity of the NPs were studied with respect to pure and Zn-doped CdO concentration (0-7.5mol.%). Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images reveal that pure and Zn-doped CdO NPs were in the nano-scale regime with different crystalline morphology. The energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) spectrum predicts the presence of Cadmium (Cd), Zinc (Zn) and Oxygen (O) in the prepared samples. Optical studies divulge that Zn
doping CdO decreases the band gap energy (Eg) (3.36-3.02eV) with an increase in Zn
doping concentration. Optical absorption spectrum of CdO red-shifted as the Zn concentration varied from 2.5mol.% to 7.5mol.%. PL spectra displayed a strong UV emission peak at 380nm. Enhanced Visible emission at 430 and 522nm with Zn
doping interprets the defect density in CdO by occupying Cd
vacancies with Zn
ions. Photocatalytic studies revealed that 7.5% Zn-doped CdO NPs show maximum degradation for atrazine (ATZ) as herbicide pollution under UV irradiation. Antibacterial studies against (Gram positive) and (Gram negative) bacteria's authenticate that Zn
doped CdO nanostructures exhibit excellent antibacterial activity against all bacteria's with an increase in doping concentration.