Modulation of defect-mediated energy transfer from ZnO nanoparticles for the photocatalytic degradation of bilirubin

• DOI: 10.3762/bjnano.4.81
• Publication Date: 2013-11-04T09:08:10Z
• Authors: Tanujjal Bora; Karthik Kunjali L...; Soumik Sarkar; Abhinandan Makhal; Samim Sardar; Samir Kumar Pal; Joydeep Dutta
• Keywords: neonatal jaundice; Technology; T; Chemical technology; Science; Physics; QC1-999; Q; zinc oxide nanoparticles; Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET); TP1-1185; 02 engineering and technology; oxygen vacancy; 7. Clean energy; Full Research Paper; bilirubin; 0210 nano-technology; photocatalysis; phototherapy

In recent years, nanotechnology has gained significant interest for applications in the medical field. In this regard, a utilization of the ZnO nanoparticles for the efficient degradation of bilirubin (BR) through photocatalysis was explored. BR is a water insoluble byproduct of the heme catabolism that can cause jaundice when its excretion is impaired. The photocatalytic degradation of BR activated by ZnO nanoparticles through a non-radiative energy transfer pathway can be influenced by the surface defect-states (mainly the oxygen vacancies) of the catalyst nanoparticles. These were modulated by applying a simple annealing in an oxygen-rich atmosphere. The mechanism of the energy transfer process between the ZnO nanoparticles and the BR molecules adsorbed at the surface was studied by using steady-state and picosecond-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. A correlation of photocatalytic degradation and time-correlated single photon counting studies revealed that the defect-engineered ZnO nanoparticles that were obtained through post-annealing treatments led to an efficient decomposition of BR molecules that was enabled by Förster resonance energy transfer.