Synthesis and Antibacterial Properties of ZnO:Ag Films Prepared from a TritonMR Containing Solution

Silver doped ZnO was prepared by the sol-gel and dip-coating technique, starting with zinc acetate and silver acetate as precursors, followed by its hydrolysis in ethanol. Acetic acid was incorporated to adjust pH, as well as acetylacetonate and TritonMR as stabilizers. The sol was later dipped 3 times in silica substrates. Structural, morphological and antimicrobial properties of the films were investigated for three silver contents (1.0, 2.5 and 5 mol %). X-ray diffraction (XRD) shows that the films have a hexagonal structure after been annealed at 500 °C. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) for films showed a homogeneous, crack free and smooth surface, composed of cross-linked particles. The synthetized films presented antibacterial activity against Escherichia Coli. It was observed that the higher Ag content (5 mol %) presents the higher antimicrobial ratio, 72%.