title: Modulation of defect-mediated energy transfer from ZnO nanoparticles for the photocatalytic degradation of bilirubin.
abstract: In recent years, nanotechnology has gained significant interest for applications in the medical field. In this regard, a utilization of the ZnO nanoparticles for the efficient degradation of bilirubin (BR) through photocatalysis was explored. BR is a water insoluble byproduct of the heme catabolism that can cause jaundice when its excretion is impaired. The photocatalytic degradation of BR activated by ZnO nanoparticles through a non-radiative energy transfer pathway can be influenced by the surface defect-states (mainly the oxygen vacancies) of the catalyst nanoparticles. These were modulated by applying a simple annealing in an oxygen-rich atmosphere. The mechanism of the energy transfer process between the ZnO nanoparticles and the BR molecules adsorbed at the surface was studied by using steady-state and picosecond-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. A correlation of photocatalytic degradation and time-correlated single photon counting studies revealed that the defect-engineered ZnO nanoparticles that were obtained through post-annealing treatments led to an efficient decomposition of BR molecules that was enabled by Förster resonance energy transfer.
authors.affiliation: Center of Excellence in Nanotechnology, School of Engineering and Technology, Asian Institute of Technology, P. O. Box 4, Klong Luang, Pathumthani - 12120, Thailand ; Chair in Nanotechnology, Water Research Center, Sultan Qaboos University, P. O. Box 17, Al Khoud - 123, Sultanate of Oman.
authors.forename: Tanujjal
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bora
authors.affiliation: Chair in Nanotechnology, Water Research Center, Sultan Qaboos University, P. O. Box 17, Al Khoud - 123, Sultanate of Oman.
authors.forename: Karthik Kunjali
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Lakshman
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical, Biological & Macromolecular Sciences, Unit for Nanoscience & Technology, S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, J D Block, Sector III, Salt Lake, Kolkata - 700 098, India.
authors.forename: Soumik
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sarkar
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical, Biological & Macromolecular Sciences, Unit for Nanoscience & Technology, S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, J D Block, Sector III, Salt Lake, Kolkata - 700 098, India.
authors.forename: Abhinandan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Makhal
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical, Biological & Macromolecular Sciences, Unit for Nanoscience & Technology, S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, J D Block, Sector III, Salt Lake, Kolkata - 700 098, India.
authors.forename: Samim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sardar
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical, Biological & Macromolecular Sciences, Unit for Nanoscience & Technology, S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, J D Block, Sector III, Salt Lake, Kolkata - 700 098, India.
authors.forename: Samir Kumar
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Pal
authors.affiliation: Center of Excellence in Nanotechnology, School of Engineering and Technology, Asian Institute of Technology, P. O. Box 4, Klong Luang, Pathumthani - 12120, Thailand ; Chair in Nanotechnology, Water Research Center, Sultan Qaboos University, P. O. Box 17, Al Khoud - 123, Sultanate of Oman.
authors.forename: Joydeep
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dutta
keywords: Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET); bilirubin; neonatal jaundice; oxygen vacancy; photocatalysis; phototherapy; zinc oxide nanoparticles