Microwave-assisted methods offer a rapid and a controlled synthetic method for making high quality metal-based nanoparticles.  Zinc oxide nanoparticles exhibit a wide variety of applications in biotechnology including their use as antimicrobial agents.  We introduced europium metal ions into the zinc oxide crystal matrix to use them in luminescent applications.  By varying the surface capping ligand and the amount of europium doping, we have prepared a series of europium metal-based zinc oxide nanoparticles using a microwave-based thermal decomposition method.  The reaction temperature and the time were optimized to produce highly crystalline nanoparticles.  The number of carbon atoms in the surface capping ligand is critical for the average size of the nanoparticles.  The nanoparticles were characterized using powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering studies, and luminescent spectroscopy.  The luminescent properties and the antimicrobial properties of the nanoparticles were found to be sensitive to the europium doping level.

Microwave-assisted synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles with varying europium metal doping levels for potential biotechnological applications

ACS Fall 2021

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