Electroless Deposits of ZnO and Hybrid ZnO/Ag Nanoparticles on Mg-Ca0.3 Alloy Surface: Multiscale Characterization

ZnO and hybrid of ZnO/Ag structures in the nanometer size were electroless deposited on the Mg-Ca0.3 alloy surface, achieved from aqueous solutions (10(-3) M at 21 degrees C) of ZnO (suspension), Zn(NO3)(2) and AgNO3. The surface characterization of the deposits was carried out by Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), UV-Visible and Raman spectroscopy. The nanoparticles (NPs) area size distribution analysis revealed that the average of ZnO-NPs was similar to 85 nm. Likewise, the Ag-NPs of electroless deposits had an average area size of similar to 100 nm and nucleated in the vicinity of ZnO-NPs as Ag+ ions have been attracted by the negatively charged O2- atoms of the Zn-O dipole. The ZnO-NPs had the wurtzite structure, as indicated by Raman spectroscopy analysis and XRD complementary analysis. The UV-Visible spectroscopy analysis gave a peak at similar to 320 nm associated with the decrease in the imaginary part (k) of the refractive index of Ag-NPs. On the Mg-Ca0.3 surface, MgO, Mg(OH)(2) and MgCO3 are present due to the Mg-matrix. XRD spectra of Ag-NPs indicated the presence of planes arranged with the FCC hexagonal structure. The reported hybrid ZnO/Ag electroless deposits of NPs are of interest for temporary implant devices, providing antibacterial properties to Mg-Ca0.3 surface, a widely used biodegradable material.