Mn-doped ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized by reverse micellar method using Tergitol NP9 as a surfactant for the first time. These nanoparticles were characterized using powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and selected area electron diffraction analysis. Structural analysis and optical studies revealed that manganese is incorporated into the ZnO host lattice forming a solid solution. Transmission electron microscopic studies show that the particle size increases from 20–50 nm on increasing the dopant concentration from 0.05–0.15. The specific surface area of Zn_1−𝑥Mn_𝑥O (𝑥 = 0.05, 0.10 and 0.15) as calculated using BET method was found to be 202.62, 145.78 and 75.66 m²g^-1, respectively which are higher than the reported values so far.

The encapsulation of biomolecules in inert meso or nanostructures is an important step towards controlling drug delivery agents. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) are of immense importance owing to their high surface area, large pore size, uniform particle size and chemical inertness. Reverse micellar method with CTAB as the surfactant has been used to synthesize anisotropic mesoporous silica materials. We have used the anisotropic silica nanostructures for DNA encapsulation studies and observed a loading capacity of ∼8 𝜇g mg^-1 of the sample. On functionalizing the pores of silica with amine group, the amount of DNA loaded on the rods decreases which is due to a reduction in the pore size upon grafting of amine groups.