Investigation of gamma radiation shielding and antimicrobial properties of PbO-doped ZnO and TiO2 composites

Abstract

Gamma radiation is utilized in various fields, such as food shelf-life preservation, medicine, and industry. The protection against ionizing radiation, such as gamma radiation, is a crucial matter. Ionizing radiation is harmful to both the environment and living organisms, leading to cellular mutations, organ damage, equipment malfunctions, and other adverse effects. To achieve radiation protection, shielding methods are employed. Materials that prevent bacterial growth and contamination should also be developed in all areas. In our study, glass substrates were coated using the rotational coating method. In this study, the antimicrobial and radiation protection properties of glass coatings prepared with ZnPb (50% ZnO + 50% PbO) and TiPb (50% TiO2 + 50% PbO) ratios were investigated. For radiation protection properties, mass attenuation coefficient (MAC) values were calculated using the Geant4-GATE and XCOM simulations, and the results were compared with the experimental data. Calculations were performed at 511, 662, 1173, 1274, and 1332 keV energy levels. A colony counting method was employed to determine the antibacterial effectiveness of Pb-doped TiO2 and ZnO. The antibacterial efficacy of Pb-doped TiO2 and ZnO films was tested against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) bacteria. It was found that these films were effective only against Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. The antimicrobial efficiency of the nanocomposites was evaluated against various bacterial strains, highlighting significant inhibitory properties, particularly for TiO2 and ZnO nanocomposites against S. aureus. This emphasizes their potential as antimicrobial agents.