Structural, thermal and cytotoxic evaluation of ZnS-sensitized ZnO nanorods developed by single cyclic SILAR process

Abstract

On one hand, morphological modification of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) has served as an effectual route for the realization of improved photochemical and/or photobiological performances while on the other hand, there have been meaningful attempts to combine pristine ZnO NPs with secondary nanoscale materials for the same. In this paper, we are reporting the development of a binary system of ZnO and ZnS in which ZnO is used in nanorod (NR) like one-dimensional form whereas ZnS is deposited over it in 0-dimensional quantum-dots (QDs) form. Not only this combination is unique in its originality, the low scale sensitization of ZnS over ZnO-NR is also effectual to improve the bioactivity of resultant ZnO-NR/ZnS nanomaterial. Alongside the thermal characterization by TGA/DSC which is important to trace the potential of transformation of ZnO-NR/ZnS to corresponding thin films for optoelectronic applications, we carried out shrimp cells’ assay and evaluated the chemical and toxic impact on microorganisms. To prove the successful low scale deposition of ZnS on ZnO-NR, we analyzed the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic studies too. Based on the thermal, morphological and biological evaluation, it is believed that the resultant ZnO-NR/ZnS is purely compatible for various optical and electronic applications including but not limited to photocatalysis, etc.