Inhibitory effects of functionalized indium doped ZnO nanoparticles on algal growth for preservation of adobe mud and earthen-made artworks under humid conditions

In this article, indium doped ZnO nanoparticles (alloy nanoparticles) were investigated as inhibitors against algae growth on adobe mud and earthen artworks for surface preservation from destruction caused by micro-organisms under humid conditions, through surface modification and activation run off. Nanoparticles (NPs) were fabricated by physical vapor deposition (PVD) growth mechanism. The fabricated NPs were approximately 20 nm in size. The Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus quadricauda were tested by application of indium doped ZnO nanoparticles (In/ZnO NPs) as inhibitors. As concentrations of NPs increased, the negative impacts of NPs on the algal growth were enhanced and physical characteristics introduced that deteriorating capability of algae on the artwork structures was approximately 80% diminished and nearly 80% of the algae was inactivated at 20 mg/L NPs after 4 weeks. These fabricated NPs in comparison to previous works, showed better impacts in the lower concentrations. The chlorophyll content in Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus quadricauda showed the intensive (P < .05) reduction in the presence of NPs. The field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) images revealed dramatic decrease in algal population on the artworks surface.