title: Antibacterial properties of F-doped ZnO visible light photocatalyst.
abstract: Nanocrystalline ZnO photocatalysts were prepared by a sol-gel method and modified with fluorine to improve their photocatalytic anti-bacterial activity in visible light. Pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) were employed to evaluate the antimicrobial properties of synthesized materials. The interaction with biological systems was assessed by analysis of the antibacterial properties of bacteria suspended in 2% (w/w) powder solutions. The F-doping was found to be effective against S. aureus (99.99% antibacterial activity) and E. coli (99.87% antibacterial activity) when irradiated with visible light. Production of reactive oxygen species is one of the major factors that negatively impact bacterial growth. In addition, the nanosize of the ZnO particles can also be toxic to microorganisms. The small size and high surface-to-volume ratio of the ZnO nanoparticles are believed to play a role in enhancing antimicrobial activity.
authors.affiliation: Center for Research in Engineering Surface Technology (CREST), DIT FOCAS Institute, Kevin St., Dublin, Ireland. Electronic address: joannapcarroll@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Podporska-Carroll
authors.affiliation: Center for Research in Engineering Surface Technology (CREST), DIT FOCAS Institute, Kevin St., Dublin, Ireland; School of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dublin Institute of Technology, Kevin St., Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Myles
authors.affiliation: School of Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Brid
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Quilty
authors.affiliation: Center for Research in Engineering Surface Technology (CREST), DIT FOCAS Institute, Kevin St., Dublin, Ireland; School of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dublin Institute of Technology, Kevin St., Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Declan E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: McCormack
authors.affiliation: Center for Research in Engineering Surface Technology (CREST), DIT FOCAS Institute, Kevin St., Dublin, Ireland; School of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dublin Institute of Technology, Kevin St., Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fagan
authors.affiliation: The Surface Analysis Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XH, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Steven J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Hinder
authors.affiliation: Environmental Engineering and Science Program, Department of Biomedical, Chemical and Environmental Engineering (DBCEE), 705 Engineering Research Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0012, USA. Electronic address: dionysios.d.dionysiou@uc.edu.
authors.forename: Dionysios D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Dionysiou
authors.affiliation: Center for Research in Engineering Surface Technology (CREST), DIT FOCAS Institute, Kevin St., Dublin, Ireland; Nanotechnology Research Group, Department of Environmental Science, PEM Centre, Institute of Technology Sligo, Sligo, Ireland. Electronic address: Pillai.Suresh@itsligo.ie.
authors.forename: Suresh C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Pillai
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002384:Catalysis; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects; D005459:Fluorides / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D054879:Halogenation; D008027:Light; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D053758:Nanoparticles; D010316:Particle Size; D055668:Photochemical Processes; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction; D015034:Zinc Oxide / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D005459:Fluorides; D015034:Zinc Oxide
keywords: Anti-bacterial; Antimicrobial action; Dopants; Fluorine; Gram-negative; Gram-positive; Hydroxyl radical; Oxygen defects; Photocatalysis; Reactive oxygen species (ROS); Synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticle; TiO(2) photocatalysts; XPS deconvolution; ZnO powder