Study of the Photocatalytic Degradation and the Enhanced Antibacterial Activity Against Septicemia of Sm-Doped ZnO Nanoparticles

The present work reported the preparation of Sm-doped zinc oxide (ZnO:Sm) nanoparticles using a chemical precipitation method. Particle size, morphology, luminescence and optical properties are studied. The role of doping concentration on the antibacterial and photocatalytic properties is explored. The atomic doping concentration of Sm is chosen as 0, 1, 3, and 5%. The uniformity and grain sizes of the prepared nanoparticles are effectively controlled by doping. Violet, blue and greenish yellow emissions are observed in the photoluminescence spectrum. The band gap of the material ranges from 3.322 to 3.143 eV as the doping concentration of Sm changes from 0 to 5%. The electron and hole concentrations are examined. The prepared nanoparticles have a high refractive index and are examined using various models. Antibacterial studies against the bacteria that cause the disease septicemia have been reported. The enhanced photocatalytic performance is observed. A maximum of 94% of the degradation of methylene blue is obtained using ZnO:Sm (5%) nanoparticles.