Synthesis and characterization of Ag-doped ZnO nanostructures and an assessment on their enhanced bacterial inhibition and photocatalytic degradation

Key Points

• The aim is to synthesize and characterize Ag-doped ZnO nanoparticles and evaluate their antibacterial and photocatalytic properties.
• Used a sol-gel method to synthesize ZnO and Ag-doped ZnO nanoparticles.
• Doped ZnO with varying concentrations of silver (1, 3, 5, and 7 mol%).
• Characterized the synthesized nanoparticles' structural and functional properties.
• Ag-doped ZnO nanoparticles exhibited improved bacterial inhibition compared to pure ZnO.
• Photocatalytic degradation capabilities were enhanced with increasing silver concentration.
• Optimal antibacterial and photocatalytic effects observed at specific silver concentrations.