Preparation and characterization of Ni-doped ZnO particles via a bioassisted process

Ni-doped ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) were successfully prepared by bioassisted synthesis technique in the template of silk-fibroin (SF) peptide at room temperature. The dopant Ni ions were incorporated into the wurtzite structure of ZnO crystal. Photoluminescence results of Ni-doped ZnO particles indicated a strong emission band at 410 nm. The field dependence of magnetization measured at room temperature exhibited the good ferromagnetic properties. Bacteriological tests revealed that the prepared Ni-doped ZnO particles with SF peptide had nontoxicity for Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.

Ni-doped ZnO particles with good photoluminescence, magnetic and cytocompatibility were successfully prepared by biomineralization method.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights ▶ In recent years, some study on ZnO nanomaterial reported its cytotoxicity, and the surface modification was indispensable for their application as biomaterials. Obviously, it is urgent to prepare a material that can be directly used in vivo by simple methods. We have prepared ZnO particles with good biocompatibility through mimetic synthesis with silk fibroin (SF) peptide. Magnetic ZnO particles with good biocompatibility and photoluminescence (PL) will have a possible application in bio-optoelectronic devices in vivo. However, there is no report about bioassisted preparation of the magnetic ZnO particles with good biocompatibility until now. ▶ In this paper, we demonstrate a mild room-temperature aqueous solution bioassistededed process to prepare the Ni-doped ZnO particles using SF peptide as the template, and their photoluminescence (PL) and ferromagnetism are investigated. Staphylococcus aureus (S. Aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) are two pathogenetic agents of several infective diseases in humans. Bacteriological tests were performed on two bacteria in order to determine their toxicity. Due to SF peptide-coating, the bioassisteded ZnO particles displayed no toxicity to both bacteria. Based on their good PL, magnetic and biocompatible properties, the Ni-doped ZnO particles via the bioassisted synthesis would be envisioned for bio-device applications.