Influence of eumelanin and gamma irradiation on ZnO nanocomposite properties

It is known that ZnO is at the forefront in recent studies, so one of the most important applications in recent years is improving the properties of zinc oxide by grafting with cheap and environmentally friendly materials. In the present work, the effect of natural eumelanin (Mel) and gamma radiation on the morphological characteristics, structural, optical, and electrical properties of ZnO nanocomposite were routinely studied. The transmission electron microscope (TEM) images showed a change in crystallinity and crystallite size as a result of eumelanin addition and treatment with radiation. FTIR showed structural changes in bond strength of ZnO-Mel and gammairradiated ZnO-Mel compared to pure ZnO with the appearance of a new bond. Also, eumelanin addition and gamma irradiation exhibited a decrease in reflectance, a red-shift in bandgap energy, and an increase in Urbach energy. Moreover, an increase in the ac-conductivity was confirmed. Finally, in comparison to the complicated preparation of industrial semiconductors, the ease of use of materials composed of organic-non-organic materials with it irradiation treatment will open new avenues for the use of soft conductors.