title: Flower-shaped ZnO nanoparticles synthesized by a novel approach at near-room temperatures with antibacterial and antifungal properties.
abstract: Due to enormous applications of metal oxide nanoparticles in research and health-related applications, metal oxide nanoparticles are increasingly being developed through cheaper and more user-friendly approaches. We have formulated a simple route to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZNPs) by a sol-gel method at near-room temperatures 25°C, 35°C, 55°C, and 75°C. The results are analyzed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy. The effect of different temperature conditions (25°C-75°C) on the particulate sizes (23.7-88.8 nm), pH levels (11.7-11.9), and morphologies (slender needle-broad arrow) of flower-shaped ZNP colonies is studied. A possible mechanism depicting the growth rates at different temperatures and of different facets, mainly towards the <0 0 0 I> and <0 I Ī 0> planes of the ZNPs has also been discussed. The values of λmax (293-298 nm) suggest that ZNPs prepared at 55°C are the most effective ultraviolet B absorbers, and that they can be used in sunscreens. Highly significant antimicrobial activity against medically important Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria and fungi (Candida albicans) by these ZNPs was also revealed. As S. aureus and C. albicans are responsible for many contagious dermal infections such as abscesses, furuncles, carbuncles, cellulitis, and candidiasis, we can postulate that our fabricated ZNPs may be useful as antimicrobial agents in antiseptic creams and lotions for the treatment of skin diseases.
authors.affiliation: NanoSolver Lab, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Zakir Hussain College of Engineering and Technology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India ; Department of Applied Chemistry, Integral University, Lucknow, India.
authors.forename: Mohd Farhan
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: NanoSolver Lab, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Zakir Hussain College of Engineering and Technology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hameedullah
authors.affiliation: NanoSolver Lab, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Zakir Hussain College of Engineering and Technology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India.
authors.forename: Akhter H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Ansari
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India.
authors.forename: Ejaz
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Chemistry, Integral University, Lucknow, India.
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Lohani
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India.
authors.forename: Rizwan Hasan
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: M Mezbaul
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Alam
authors.affiliation: Centre of Excellence in Materials Science (Nanomaterials), Department of Applied Physics, Zakir Hussain College of Engineering and Technology, Aligarh Muslim University Aligarh, India.
authors.forename: Wasi
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India.
authors.forename: Fohad Mabood
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Husain
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India.
authors.forename: Iqbal
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ahmad
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D050997:Nanomedicine; D036103:Nanotechnology; D010316:Particle Size; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D013057:Spectrum Analysis; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects; D013696:Temperature; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction; D015034:Zinc Oxide / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D015034:Zinc Oxide
keywords: antimicrobial activity; cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide; flower-shape zinc oxide nanoparticles; near-room temperature; skin disease; sol–gel method