Combustion synthesis, characterization and antibacterial properties of pristine ZnO and Ga doped ZnO nanoparticles

Herein, undoped and Ga doped ZnO nanoparticles were prepared using a combustion method. The effect of Ga doping on the structural, optical, surface morphological and antibacterial properties was explored. The hexagonal wurtzite structure and the preferential (101) plane orientation were confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) studies. The Raman active modes of ZnO phase were found using Raman spectral analysis. The occurrence of the functional groups and chemical bonding was affirmed by FTIR spectra. HRSEM images revealed that the spherical shaped particles are agglomerated and contained several voids. The antibacterial efficacy of the prepared nanoparticles was examined against different bacteria viz. Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus. From this analysis, it is found that the undoped and Ga doped ZnO nanopowders remarkably enhances the antibacterial activity.