Accepted Manuscript

Title: Synthesis, Characterization and Antibacterial Efficiency

of ZnO Nanoparticles Using Rice as Soft Bio-Template

Author: C. Amutha S. Thanikaikarasan V. Ramadas S. Asath

Bahadur B. Natarajan R. Kalyani

PII: S0030-4026(16)00173-X
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/doi:10.1016/j.ijleo.2016.01.124
Reference: IJLEO 57234

To appear in:

Received date: 4-12-2015

Accepted date: 15-1-2016

Please cite this article as: C. Amutha, S. Thanikaikarasan, V. Ramadas, S.A. Bahadur,
B. Natarajan, R. Kalyani, Synthesis, Characterization and Antibacterial Efficiency of
ZnO Nanoparticles Using Rice as Soft Bio-Template, Optik - International Journal for
Light and Electron Optics (2016), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijleo.2016.01.124

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 Synthesis, Characterization and Antibacterial Efficiency of ZnO Nanoparticles Using
Rice as Soft Bio-Template
C.Amutha1, S.Thanikaikarasan2*, V.Ramadas3, S. Asath Bahadur4, B.Natarajan1*,
R.Kalyani5
1
Post Graduate and Research Department of Physics, Raja Dorai Singam Government Arts
College, Sivagangai - 630 561, Tamil Nadu, India.
2
Centre for Scientific and Applied Research, School of Basic Engineering and Sciences, PSN

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College of Engineering and Technology, Tirunelveli – 627 152,Tamil Nadu, India.

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3
Post Graduate and Research Department of Zoology, Raja Dorai Singam Government Arts

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College, Sivagangai - 630 561, Tamil Nadu, India.
4
Department of Physics and International Research Centre, Kalasalingam

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University,Krishnan koil - 626 126
Tamil Nadu, India.
5
Nanofunctional Materials Lab, Department of Nanoscience & Technology, Alagappa

an
University, Karaikudi – 630 003, Tamil Nadu, India.

Abstract
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Rice as a renewable, abundant bio-resource with unique characteristics can be used as
a bio-template to synthesize various functional nanomaterials. Rice doped Zinc Oxide
d

nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized using co-precipitation method. X-ray

diffraction analysis showed that the prepared material possess polycrystalline in nature with
te

hexagonal structure with (101) orientation for undoped material and (002) orientation for
Rice doped Zinc Oxide nanoparticles. Optical absorption analysis have indicated the red shift
change in band gap value in the range between 3.6 and 3.9 to 3.75 eV is observed for
p

undoped and rice doped Zinc Oxide nanoparticles respectively. The FTIR spectra have
confirmed the presence of ZnO band at ~850–900 cm-1. Photoluminscence spectroscopy
ce

depicted of blue shift in the wavelength in the range between 440 and 370 nm for Rice doped
Zinc Oxide nanoparticles. The antibacterial efficiency of ZnO NPs- doped with rice was
tested against growth of bacterial species using a disc diffusion method. The rice doped ZnO
Ac

sample exhibited strong antibacterial activity against the Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas
aeroginosa and Klebsiella pneumonia.
___________________________________________________________________________
Keywords: Rice; Bio-template; Sol-gel technique; Structural analysis; Photoluminescence
Spectroscopy; Antibacterial efficiency;
(Corresponding author):

* B.Natarajan: b_natraj_b@rediffmail.com Tel: 91 098941 86345

Page 1 of 21
 .

1.Introduction

t
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A technique that employs natural materials as biotemplates to synthesize micro-

and nano-scaled materials with morphologies and structures resemble to those of the

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biotemplate is called as biomorphic mineralization [1]. These kinds of works keep on

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growing and contributing to a new interdisciplinary area, especially with the synthesis, self-

assembly and processing of the organized inorganic materials [2]. The advantages of

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application of biotemplates are relatively cheap, economical, environmentally benign and

renewable [3]. A series of natural biotemplates that were utilized in the fabrication of
M
functional materials includes DNA , proteins, viruses, bacteria, diatoms, pollen grains, cell

membrane, wood and cellulose fibers.

d

Application of metal oxides materials have extensively arisen throughout human

te

civilization and the uses of nano-sized particles are even more significant. Among them, ZnO

nanoparticles are always in the center of attention due to their fascinating properties and
p

extensive application. Bio-inspired synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles have been achieved using
ce

environmentally and ecofriendly accepted systems. Several studies have been investigated
Ac

using natural materials for ZnO nanoparticles synthesis such as DNA [4], silk [5], albumen

[6], orange juice [7], pea starch [8], peptide structures [9] and etc. Agricultural materials

particularly those containing cellulose have indicated potential metal bio-sorption capacity.

The basic component of the agricultural materials includes hemi-cellulose, lignin, extractives,

lipids, proteins, etc.

Rice is an agricultural bio-resource which can be used as non-metalic bio-precursor

to synthesize functional materials. The main component of rice is starch which is one of the

Page 2 of 21
most fascinating bio resources that can be used for nanotechnological application. The

carbohydrate polymeric chains build up from glucose units and parted in linear amylase and

branched amylopectin. These peculiarities are representing the key structural elements for the

synthesis of new functional nanomaterials. Starch based oxides with biocompatible and non-

t
toxic features, grant a new class of functional nanomaterials with potential application in

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various industries.

cr
Therefore, using rice as a soft biotemplate appears to be a promising way to

synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles. Hence in the present study, rice was chosen as a soft

us
template material due to its high porous structure, special components and relatively low cost.

an
Workers have reports about to the use of rice husk and starch for the synthesis of various

functional materials due to their high porous structure.

M
Nanometer size multifunctional materials are gearing the biological fields in

various ways. One of the promising nontoxic and biocompatible semiconductor material is
d

Zinc Oxide (ZnO), which has received extensive application due to its exceptional electrical
te

and optical characteristics in fabricating nano scaled electronic and optoelectronic devices.

ZnO is a kind of wide band gap (3.37 eV) semiconductor with large exciton binding energy
p

(60 meV) [10]. ZnO possesses higher quantum efficiency and higher exciton energy when
ce

compared to other side band gap semiconductor. Besides, ZnO is a bio friendly oxide

semiconductor and an inexpensive luminescent material.

Ac

Owing to the properties stated above, it is expected to have a wide range of

applications in room temperature ultraviolet (UV) lasing [11], biosensors [12], bio imaging

[13], drug delivery and piezoelectric transducers. ZnO nanosystem may be of important

relevance in the context of nanomedicine, where targeted treatment of biological systems at

molecular level is a necessity. Recently, there are several physical or chemical synthetic

methods of preparing ZnO, such as thermal evaporation [14], pulsed laser deposition (PLD)

Page 3 of 21
[15], ion implantation, reactive electron beam evaporation, thermal decomposition [16] and

sol–gel technique [17]. To obtain ZnO nanoparticle, we choose sol–gel method because of its

simplicity, which offers a possibility of large-area yield at low cost.

t
Antimicrobial agents are natural or synthetic compounds that inhibit microbial

ip
growth.Various classes of antimicrobial agents are used in the textile industry, most of which

cr
are biocides. The use of inorganic nanoparticles has advanced rapidly due to the amount of

work done towards the synthesis and modification of particles for biomedical applications.

us
Many heavy metals and metal oxides either in their free state, or in compounds at very low

an
concentrations, are toxic to microbes [18]. These inorganic materials kill bacteria through

various mechanisms, such as by binding to intracellular proteins and inactivating them,

M
generation of reactive oxygen species and via direct damage to cell walls [19]. Zinc oxide

(ZnO), copper oxide (CuO), magnesium oxide (MgO), titanium dioxide (TiO2) and silver
d

(Ag) are some of the most commonly used inorganic materials in the fabrication of
te

antimicrobial coatings.

In the present investigation, The ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized through by

p

co-precipitation method using zinc acetate-sodium hydroxide and uncooked rice flour at
ce

various ratios as precursors at 100°C for 1 hours. Prepared samples are subjected to X-ray

diffraction, Scanning electron microscopy, and Energy dispersive analysis by X-rays, UV-
Ac

Visible NIR spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopic techniques for the

determination of structural, morphological, compositional and optical properties,

respectively. Further the ability of the antibacterial agent to inhibit bacterial growth was

tested using a disc diffusion method.

2. Experimental Procedure

Page 4 of 21
2.1. Chemicals used

Zinc acetate dihydrate Zn (CH3COO)2. 2H2O, Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH), liquid

ammonia were purchased from Sigma Aldrich. The raw rice was purchased from a local

market and then ground into powder form in a milling machine, (Fritsch Pulverisette 6 type

t
planetary monomill, Germany).

ip
cr
2.2. Synthesis of rice doped ZnO nanoparticles

In a typical procedure, 1 g of zinc acetate (Zn(Ac)2.2H2O) and 0.8 g sodium

us
hydroxide (NaOH) were dissolved in 25 mL distilled water under constant stirring (Zn2+:

OH- = 1: 4).a PH of 13. After 1 hour stirring, different concentrations of rice powder 0, 0.5,

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1, 1.5, 3 and 6 g were introduced into the solution (the ratio of zinc acetate to rice powder
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was chosen at i.e. 1:0, 1:0.5, 1:1, 1:1.5, 1:3, and 1:6 w/w%) and stirring was continued until

the rice powder was completely dissolved. The solutions with lower concentrations of rice
d

powder were easily dissolved and the colour of solution remained white. At higher
te

concentrations of rice powder, yellow coloured solutions were obtained after longer time of

stirring and the solution was transferred into a Teflon-lined stainless steel autoclave; the
p

resulting white precipitate was stirred vigoursly at an ambient temperature for a duration of 1
ce

hour. The precipitate was washed thoroughly with deionized water followed by ethanol to

remove the impurities present in it and which leads to production of white powder. The
Ac

resulting white powder was dried in hot air oven at a temperature of 100°C for 1 hour

duration.

2.3. Method of antimicrobial activity

Disc diffusion method was used to determine the inhibition zones in the growth of

bacterial species, sterile molten Mueller Hilton agar (Himedia) cooled at 45 °C was used with

Page 5 of 21
discs containing ZnO nanoparticles. Then plates were incubated at 370C for 24 h with

different concentration of ZnO nanoparticles, the zone of inhibition was measured using a

zone reader.

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2.4. Characterization

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X-ray diffraction pattern of the prepared samples was recorded using a Brucker D8

cr
X-ray diffractometer with Cukα radiation with wavelength (λ=1.5418 Å). Surface morphology

and composition of the prepared powder samples were recorded using an Energy dispersive

us
analysis by X-rays set up attached with Scanning Electron Microscope (INPECT-F Model,

an
30KV). Optical absorption and transmittance measurements were taken out using an UV-Vis-

NIR spectrophotometer (Shimadzu UV-Vis 1800). A Photoluminescence spectroscopic

M
measurement of the prepared powder samples was taken out using a Perkin Elmer LS55

Spectroflurometer. Whereas, FTIR measurements were performed over the range from 400
d
-1 -1
cm to 4000 cm using Shimadzu 8400S. The antibacterial efficiency of ZnO NPs was
te

tested against bacterial growth using disc diffusion method.

3. Results and Discussion

p

3.1 Structural analysis

ce

X-ray diffraction pattern recorded for both undoped and uncooked rice powder

doped with ZnO nanoparticles (Figure 1a-e). It was observed that, the prepared samples were
Ac

polycrystalline in nature with hexagonal structure and lattice constants (a = 3.0753 Å; c =

5.3273 Å). The diffraction peaks of hexagonal ZnO are found at 2 values of angles such as,

31.82, 35.36.32, 47.6, 56.7, 62.9, 66.4, 68, and 69.14 corresponding to the lattice

planes of (002), (100), (101), (102), (110), (103), (200), (112) and (201), respectively. The‘d’

values observed in the present study were found to be in close agreement with JCPDS ICDD

file for hexagonal ZnO (JCPDS card No.36–1451) [20].

Page 6 of 21
 In the case of undoped ZnO that the intensity of (101) plane was found to

higher than all other peaks in the diffractogram which indicated that the crystallites are

preferentially oriented along (101) plane (Fig.1a). Whereas, doped ZnO, the intensity of the

XRD peaks for as synthesized ZnO samples was decreased with increase in the concentration

t
of UR, this may be due to the presence of biotemplate (Fig.1b,c,d see). Even though, excess

ip
amount of bio template present in the sample, no characteristic peaks of rice components was

cr
observed in the XRD pattern. Therefore, employing UR as biotemplate resulted in the

synthesis of relatively pure ZnO particles. Similar behaviour is exhibited for ZnO a

us
nanoparticle was reported earlier by Ramimoghadam et al., [21].

an
The sizes of the crystallites of the prepared ZnO nanoparticles are estimated

using FWHM data and Debye-Scherrer formula given in Eq.(1).

M
0.9
D
 cos  (1)

Where,
d

λ - is the wavelength of CuKα

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β - is Full width at Half Maximum of the peak position in radian;

p

θ - is Bragg diffraction angle at peak position in degrees.

ce

The particle size of pure ZnO was observed as 51 nm, which decreases to nm with

increase in uncooked rice concentration, shown in Figure 2. The use of uncooked rice
Ac

template has been effective after a certain concentration in controlling the Ostwald ripening

process in the growth rate of the crystallites.

The value of lattice constant ‘a’ and ‘c’ are calculated using the below mentioned relation

eq(2)

1 4  h 2  hk  l 2  l 2
   2
d2 3  a2  c

(2)

Page 7 of 21
 Dislocation density is defined as the number of dislocation lines per unit volume of

the crystal.The dislocation density is used to determine the amount of defects presents the

grown samples which is determined using the following eq.(3).

t
1


ip
D2 (3)

cr
us
3 0 3 5 4 0 4 5 5 0 5 5 6 0 6 5 7 0
2 2 0
1 6 5 (e ) 6 g
1 1 0

an
5 5
0
(d ) 3 g
1 5 6
1 0 4
Intensity (a.u)

5 2
M
0
1 5 0 (c ) 1 .5 g
1 0 0
5 0
(002)

(101)

0
(100)

1 8 6 (b ) 0 .5 g
d (102)

(110)

(200)

1 2 4
(112)

(201)

6 2
te

0
(101)
(100)

8 7 0 (a ) Z n O
(002)

(110)

(200)

(112)

5 8 0
(102)

(201)

2 9 0
p

0
3 0 3 5 4 0 4 5 5 0 5 5 6 0 6 5 7 0
2 th e ta
ce

Fig. 1 XRD pattern of synthesized pure ZnO and rice doped ZnO nanoparticles
Ac

The stress of the ZnO and Rice doped ZnO a nanopowder have been calculated using

the formula given below [19]:

 = −233 --------------(4)

Where c0 is the lattice parameter of stress-free single crystal ZnO (c0 = 0.5205nm

from JCPDS file No. 5-664) and c is the lattice parameter of our samples. From Figure 3, it is

Page 8 of 21
 apparent that the stress of the films was gradually increased with the increase the

concentration uncooked rice.

The Zn-O bond length L was calculated using the formula

t
 a2  
2

ip
1
L =  2 +   u  c2 
 3c 2  
 ------- (5)

cr
Where the parameter u for Wurtizite structure related to a/c, is given by

us
a2
u + 0.25
3c 2

an
------- (6)
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Table 1: The grain size, bond length, stress, dislocation density, peak position and ‘d’

values of rice doped ZnO nanoparticles for (002) peak.

d

Grain Stress Peak

S.No Concentrati Size(D Bond Dislocation (σ) 10-9 FWHM Value positio
te

on ) Length density(s) (d) n

Nm (l) 10-10 1014 (2Ѳ)
1 0.5g 19 0.7457 27.7008 -14.7420 1.05 2.684 33.35
p

6
2 1.5g 35 0.7489 8.1632 -16.4483 1 2.699 33.30
ce

2
3 3g 8 0.7467 15.6250 -15.0036 1 2.691 33.33
7
4 6g - - - - - - -
Ac

5 Pure ZnO 51 0.7249 3.8496 -0.3489 0.17 2.602 34.44

Page 9 of 21
 30

50
25

40
20
Grain size
30
15 Dislocation density

20
10

t
10 5

ip
0 0
0.5g 1.5g 3g purezno

Concentration

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Fig. 2 XRD (002) peak for the grain size and dislocation density for the samples.

us
0
50
-2

40 -4

-6
Grain size 30 Stress
-8

an
-10
20
-12

-14
10
-16

0 -18
0.5g 1.5g 3g purezno
concentration
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Fig 3. XRD (002) peak for the grain size and stress for the samples.

3.3 SEM Analysis

d

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the samples synthesized at

te

different concentrations of uncooked rice (UR) (Fig-4). This image was taken at the different

magnification. To investigate the effects of raw rice on the resulting ZnO morphology, SEM
p

images of ZnO synthesized without UR are also shown in Figure 4a. The images clearly
ce

showed the formation of irregular shape of ZnO nanoparicle. The higher magnification view

is interesting to observe an irregular hexagonal shaped pyramid like nanoparticles. They are
Ac

much more ordered in contrast to the one synthesized without UR (as a control). In Figure

4b-4d at different morphologies of as synthesized ZnO were observed with increasing the

amount of uncooked rice to 6g. Particles with very small needle-like shape was observed in

(Fig- 4e) and similar structure was also reported by many workers, confirming the formation

of branched pattern for soft templates, whereas, semi crystalline granules of starch are made

from concentric rings in which the amylose and amylopectin, basic components are aligned

Page 10 of 21
perpendiculary to the growth rings and to the granule surface [21, 22]. The SEM images of as

obtained for ZnO nanoparticles doped with rice showed the nanocrystals from nanorods to

needle shapes of higher amount (6g) of uncooked rice.

t
ip
(3μm) (2μm) (2μm) (2μm) (2μm)

cr
us
(a) (b) (c)
an (d) (e)
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Fig 4. SEM Images of (a) undoped ZnO (b) Rice doped 0.5g (c) 1.5g (d) 3g (e) 6g

3.4 UV- visible spectroscopy

d

UV-Visible transmittance spectra of rice doped ZnO nanopowders were prepared

te

for various concentrations were shown in (Fig-5). All the ZnO films showed transmittance
p

higher than 60% at 500 nm in the visible region. It was also observed that the 0.5g rice doped
ce

ZnO nanopowder has the highest transmittance and 6g rice doped ZnO nanopowder has

lowest transmittance in the visible region. The optical transmittance decreases (oriented to c-
Ac

axis) with increase in the concentration of rice doped ZnO. The transmittance of ZnO

nanopowder has much to do with its crystallination quality. J. Lu et al., [23] have reported

that, the increase of grain boundaries increases the light scattering, which in turn lead to a

decrease in transmittance. The optical absorption coefficient can be calculated using the

Lambert law relation

1 1
  ln  
t  T  …………………..(7)

Page 11 of 21
Where,

t is the thickness of the film

T is the transmittance

t
ip
100 0 .5 g
90 1 .5 g

cr
80 3g
p u re Z n O
70
transmitance(%)

6g
60

us
50

40

30

20

10

an
0
200 300 400 500 600 700 800
W a v e le n g th , ( n m )

Fig .5. Optical transmittance spectra of pure ZnO and rice doped ZnO nanoparticles.
M
The relation between absorption coefficient and incident photon energy can be
d

written as,
te

1/2
…………….. (8)
p

Where,
ce

 - is the absorption co-efficient

hν - is the photon enegy

Ac

A - is constant for direct transition.

Eg - is the direct bandgap

The plot of (αhυ) 2 versus (hυ) indicated the direct bandgap nature of the films (Fig-

6). By extrapolating the linear portion of the curve onto the X-axis the energy bandgap of the

powder was determined. The band gap of pure ZnO was observed as ~ 3.6 eV, which was

Page 12 of 21
good in agreement with other study reports [24]. The band gap of doped ZnO showed

decreasing nature (from 3.90 eV to 3.75 eV) (Fig- 6), which lies in the structural transition

zone. The red shift of the band gap was due to systematic increase of uncooked rice

concentration in the medium (at the sample preparation state) could be attributed to some

t
defect state between valence band and conduction band (O2p - Zn3d) [25]. The overall effect

ip
of this red shift of the band gap energy due to increase in uncooked rice concentration also

cr
relates to structural morphologies, particle size and surface microstructures [24].

us
3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 4.0
pure ZnO

6g

an
2

(h)

3g

1g
M
0.5g

3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 4.0

Energy (eV)
d

Fig.6 The plot of (αhν) 2 versus hν for pure ZnO and rice doped ZnO nanoparticles.
te

3.5 FTIR ANALYSIS

FTIR spectroscopy was used to investigate the effect of biotemplate (rice) on the
p

resulting chemical properties of the ZnO microstructures prepared by sol-gel method. FTIR
ce

spectra were obtained at room temperature in the range of 400–4000 cm−1. (Fig-7) showed
the FTIR spectra for the prepared ZnO nanostructures synthesized using different
concentrations of UR. Generally, rice contains mainly starch (carbohydrates) and water with
Ac

minor components such as proteins, vitamins, lipids, etc. These compositions mostly consist
of alkene, esters, aromatics and alcohols with different combination of functional groups. As
shown in (Fig-7), the FTIR spectra of the products involve characteristic peaks of rice, such
as a broad band at 3300– 3400 cm-1 was attributed to –OH stretching vibrations, possibly
including H2O, alcoholic OH, phenolic OH and/or carboxylic OH. A band at 2922 cm-1 was
seen assigned to stretching vibrations of aliphatic CH. Moreover, absorption band at 1640
cm-1 represents the hydroxyl group of chemisorbed and/or physisorbed H2O molecules on

Page 13 of 21
the particle surface. The main absorption bands at ~850–900 cm-1, were considered as the
stretching
-
mode Sl.No Wave number (cm Absorption band of ZnO [26,
1
27]. )

1 ~ 3400 O-H mode Table 2: FTIR

t
2 ~ 2900 C-H mode absorption

ip
3 ~ 1600 frequencies of
Symmetric C =O stretching

cr
residual 4 ~ 1380 mode groups of
uncooked rice
asymmetric C =O stretching

us
an
M
d
p te

500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000

ZnO
ce

ZnO
C=O C-H
O-H

6G
m n
ittace

Ac

3G
r
Tas
n

1.5G

0.5G

500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000

-1
Wavenumber cm

Fig.7. FT-IR spectrum of pure ZnO and doped rice ZnO nanoparticles

3.6 PL Analysis

Page 14 of 21
 The PL spectra of undoped ZnO and rice doped ZnO obtained at room temperature

were depicted in (Fig- 8). In pure ZnO spectrum, a broad blue emission peak at 440 nm (blue

emission) has been observed due to surface defect in ZnO, mainly due to Zn vacancy and

weak green emission band (~ 500 nm), known as a deep level emission, relates to the deep-

t
level defect states [28]. Singly ionized oxygen vacancy is responsible for this green emission

ip
in the ZnO [29]. It results from the recombination of the photo-generated hole with an

cr
electron, occupying the oxygen vacancy and interstitials of zinc.

The rice doped ZnO sample showed ultraviolet emission peak at 370nm, they also

us
have a weak blue emission peak located at 400nm. The UV emission is known as a near-

an
band-edge (NBE)

emission, originating from the recombination of free exciton through an exciton–exciton

M
collision process [30]. In all samples, UV light emission was most prominent. With increase

in rice doped concentration increase intensity in the medium (above 6g) a dramatic change in
d

emission spectrum was observed. The spectrum showed the UV emission peak only at ~ 370
te

nm (for Z0.5g) to 374 nm (Z3g and Z6g) (with the blue shift of single emission peak), which

considered as a signature of charge transfer reaction [31].

p
ce

350 400 450 500 550 600

6g
Ac

3g
tensity(a.u)

1.5g
In

0.5g

Pure ZnO

350 400 450 500 550 600

Wavelength (nm)

Page 15 of 21
 Fig. 8. PL spectrums of pure ZnO and doped rice ZnO nanoparticles

3.7 Antimicrobial Activity Study

The antibacterial efficiency of ZnO NPs tested against bacterial growth

t
was tested using a disc diffusion method. Rice doped with or without the ZnO nanoparticle,

ip
was tested and the results were shown in Table 3. The pure ZnO sample diameters of the zone

cr
of inhibition around the membranes after 24hrs were measured as 12 mm, 10 mm, 5 mm, 3

mm, 5 mm and 14 mm for Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Streptococcus

us
agalactiae Staphylococcus auereus, Salmonella typhimurium and Klebsiella pneumonia

respectively. After 48 hours of incubation, the diameters of the zone of inhibition was

an
increased in (Fig- 9). The pure ZnO have high antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli

was investigated. The rice doped ZnO sample diameters of the zone of inhibition around the
M
membranes after 24hrs were measured as 18 mm, 9 mm, 8 mm, 12 mm, 5 mm and 8 mm for
d

Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Streptococcus agalactiae, Staphylococcus

te

auereus, Salmonella typhimurium and Klebsiella pneumonia respectively. After 48 hours of

incubation, the diameter of the zone of inhibition was increased as shown in (Fig- 9). It was
p

found that the composite membrane had a stronger influence on E.coli than Staphylococcus
ce

auereus. Such results were in a good agreement with the previous reportes [32]. The nature of

cell wall structure is one of the possible reasons for observed difference in sensitivity. In the
Ac

present investigation rice doped ZnO sample exhibited had strong antibacterial activity

against the E. coli, Pseudomonas aeroginosa and Klebsiella pneumonia.

Table 3: Antibacterial assessment by disc diffusion method

Page 16 of 21
 Zone
Zone
Inhibition
Inhibition (mm)
Name of the bacteria (mm)
Sl.No Diameter
(ZnO control) Diameter
Rice doped ZnO Pure ZnO
24hrs 48hrs 24hrs 48hrs
1 Escherichia coli 18 22 12 16

t
2 Pseudomonas aeruginosa 9 11 10 13

ip
3 Streptococcus agalactiae 8 15 5 7
3 3

cr
4 Staphylococcus aureus 12 15
5 Salmonella typhimurium 5 13 5 6.5
14 16

us
6 Klebsiella pneumonia 8 18

an
M
(a) (b) (a) (b)
d

(a) (b)
te

Escherichia coli Klebsiella pneumoniae

Pseudomonas aeroginosa
p

Fig. 9. Antimicrobial activity of (a) pure ZnO (24 hrs) and (b) Rice Doped ZnO (24 hrs)
ce
Ac

Page 17 of 21
 Rice doped ZnO 24 hrs
Rice doped ZnO 48 hrs

Zone of inhibition Diameter (mm)

20 pure doped ZnO 24 hrs
pure doped ZnO 48 hrs

15

t
ip
10

cr
0
E.coli Pseu.aerug Strepto agal Stap aure Salmon typh Kleb pne

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Name of Bacteria

Fig. 9. The Role of zone of inhibition on the bacterial species undoped and rice doped ZnO

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nanoparticles

Conclusions
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Uncooked rice, a bio-resource can be used as bio template for morphology directing

agent for the synthesis of ZnO micro and nanostructures by co-precipitation method. The
d

effects of uncooked rice on ZnO properties were investigated. X-ray diffraction analysis
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showed that the prepared material possess polycrystalline in nature with hexagonal structure
p

with (101) orientation for undoped material and (002) orientation for Rice doped Zinc Oxide
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nanoparticles. Different ratios of rice used were found to change the morphology and size of

the resulting ZnO crystals with different structures; rod-like, granular and needle-like. The
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growth mechanism of ZnO crystals has possibly directed by conjugated and/or competing

chemical/supramolecular interaction between zinc ions and the main component of the rice,

carbohydrates. The rice-doped ZnO nanoparticles possessed some excellent properties, such

as high transmittance (about 90%) in visible region, the red shift change of rice doped ZnO

optical band gap (3.90 to 3.75 ev) is compared to pure ZnO (3.6 ev) . The FTIR spectra have

confirmed the presence of ZnO band at ~850–900 cm-1. Photoluminscence spectroscopy

showed that there is observation of blue shift in the wavelength range between 440 and 370

Page 18 of 21
nm for Rice doped Zinc Oxide nanoparticles. The rice doped ZnO sample exhibited strong

antibacterial activity against the E. coli, Pseudomonas aeroginosa and Klebsiella pneumonia.

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Figure captions

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Fig. 1 XRD pattern of synthesized pure ZnO and rice doped ZnO nanoparticles.
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Fig. 2 XRD (002) peak for the grain size and dislocation density for the samples.
Fig 3. XRD (002) peak for the grain size and stress for the samples.
Fig 4. SEM Images of (a) undoped ZnO (b) Rice doped 0.5g (c) 1.5g (d) 3g (e) 6g.
d

Fig 5. Optical transmittance spectra of pure ZnO and rice doped ZnO nanoparticles.
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Fig 6 The plot of (αhν) 2 versus hν for pure ZnO and rice doped ZnO nanoparticles.
Fig 7. FT-IR spectrum of pure ZnO and doped rice ZnO nanoparticles.
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Fig 8. PL spectrums of pure ZnO and doped rice ZnO nanoparticles.

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Fig 9. Antimicrobial activity of (a) pure ZnO (24 hrs) and (b) Rice Doped ZnO (24 hrs).
Fig 10. The Role of zone of inhibition on the bacterial species undoped and rice doped
ZnO nanoparticles.
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Table captions
Table 1: The grain size, bond length, stress, dislocation density, peak position and ‘d’
values of rice doped ZnO nanoparticles for (002) peak.
Table 2: FTIR absorption frequencies of residual groups of uncooked rice.
Table 3: Antibacterial assessment by disc diffusion method.

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