Optical and surface properties of Zn doped CdO nanorods and antimicrobial applications

The present work describes the synthesis of pure and Zn doped CdO (CdO:Zn) nanorods synthesized by a simple low-cost combustion technique. The optical, structural, morphological, and surface properties, as well as antimicrobial activities of the CdO:Zn nanoparticles were studied with respect to pure CdO. UV–Vis spectrometry and photoluminescence were used to study the optical properties of the pure and CdO:Zn samples. X-ray diffraction confirmed the presence of a cubic phase of the CdO as well as a minor CdO2 phase with no additional phase after doping with Zn. Field emission scanning electron microscope and Transmission electron microscope results confirmed a nanorod shaped morphology with spherical shaped nanoparticle distributed along the surface of the CdO nanorods for the pure and CdO:Zn. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to study the chemical state of the CdO:Zn. CdO:Zn samples exhibited significant antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and an excellent antifungal activities against Aspergillus flavus; Fusarium verticilliodes with a change in antimicrobial behavior as compared to the pure CdO structures. The results revealed that the CdO nanorods based morphology can be used in the biomedical and pharmaceutical sectors as a good antibacterial agent.