Influence of Surface Properties and Microbial Growth Media on Antibacterial Action of ZnO

Nano- and microscale ZnO demonstrate robust antibacterial action, although the driving mechanisms remain undetermined. In this study for commercial nano-powders home-grown microparticles of varying morphologies we probe response to bacterial growth media in isolation with Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. are synthesized via a controllable hydrothermal method subjected biological assays microbial environments. Changes optoelectronic, structural chemical properties these crystals before after such exposure characterized utilizing temperature-dependent photoluminescence spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. This is done evaluate impact surface-surface interactions role surface morphological play processes. our experiments various environments employed elucidate effects on cytotoxic efficacy ZnO. particular, minimum inhibitory concentration reveal that particles exhibit comparable nano-powders, indicating intra-bacterial internalization not necessary antimicrobial action. studies determine nature optoelectronic changes depends both type presence (or absence) bacteria media. Further evidence provided support significant cytotoxicity absence particle bacteria, further highlighting process.