Sono-synthesis and characterization of next-generation antimicrobial ZnO/TiO2 and Fe3O4/TiO2 bi-nanocomposites, for antibacterial and antifungal applications
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: ABSTRACT Ultrasonic-assisted synthesis of ZnO/TiO2 and Fe3O4/TiO2 bi-oxide-nanocomposites at low-frequencies (60kHz) with their characterizations, and antibacterial/antifungal applications are investigated in this study. Using nanotechnology as the next-generation solution, this research looked into the possibility of metal oxide nanoparticles as effective antibacterial agents. Nanomaterials were synthesized via a facile method (sono-synthesis) and characterized using a series of techniques (XRD, SEM, FTIR, zeta potential analysis, Raman spectroscopy, and XPS), revealing nanoscale sizes of 25 nm for ZnO/TiO2 and 31 nm for Fe3O4/TiO2. Structural analysis demonstrated the distinct crystalline phases of the synthesized nanomaterials: TiO2 with anatase structure (25%), hexagonal wurtzite structure for ZnO, and Fe3O4 with inverse spinel structure, formed in nano-dimensions (19-31 nm) with a near-spherical shape. Antibacterial and antifungal assays highlighted the efficacy of both nanocomposites against gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and gram-negative (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria, along with their potent activity against Candida albicans and non-albicans Candida. In addition, principal component analysis (PCA) was used to identify potential relationships between the physicochemical properties (Zeta potential, size, conductivity, and concentration) of all nanomaterials tested and their zone of inhibition (ZOI) against all bacterial species. Overall, this study underscores the pivotal role of nanotechnology in enhancing antimicrobial efficacy, materialized by a simple and efficient sono-synthetic route for the fabrication of ZnO/TiO2 and Fe3O4/TiO2 Bi-nanocomposites and their application in antibacterial and antifungal tests.
Source: Figshare
Authors: Giannakis, Stefanos, Halfadji, Ahmed, Bennabi, Lamia, Marrani, Andrea Giacomo, Bellucci, Stefano
Language: English
Subfield: Materials Chemistry
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W6958391523
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