Electrical, optical, photocatalytic, and bactericidal properties of polyethylene glycol-assisted sol–gel synthesized ZnTiO₃-implanted ZnO nanoparticles

ZnTiO₃-implanted ZnO nanoparticles were prepared by sol–gel method employing polyethylene glycol (PEG) 4000 and 20 000. The high resolution transmission electron micrographs, selected area electron diffraction pattern, energy dispersive x-ray spectra and powder x-ray diffractograms show the prepared materials as core/shell nanoparticles. Increase of the molecular mass of PEG decreases the d-spacing in ZnO of ZnTiO₃-implanted ZnO and pristine ZnO nanoparticles. The charge transfer resistances of ZnTiO₃-implanted ZnO nanoparticles are larger than those of pristine ZnO and precursor ZnTiO₃ nanoparticles. The optical properties of ZnTiO₃/ZnO nanoparticles are similar to those of pristine ZnO nanoparticles. The photocatalytic activity of ZnO is enhanced by the presence of ZnTiO₃ core in the ZnO lattice. The bactericidal activity of core/shell ZnTiO₃/ZnO nanoparticles is not less than that of ZnO nanoparticles. (paper)