Synthesis And Characterization Of Zno/Cuo Nano-Composite Using Orange Peel Extract And Evaluation Of Its Antibacterial Activities

Abstract

Metal oxide nanocomposite has received a lot of attention in the field of environmental science for both theoretical and experimental aspects of their improvement due to their wide variety of practical applications such as catalysts, sensors, biomedicine, and optoelectronics. Zinc oxide/Copper oxide (ZnO/CuO) nanocomposites have received the most attention because to their superior adjustable catalytic, electrical, optical, and magnetic capabilities, as well as their environmentally safe nature. In the current study, ZnO/CuO nanocomposite (NC) was produced using the Sol-gel process, followed by oven drying at 60 ⁰C. UV-Vis spectroscopy was used to monitor the synthesis, and peaks above 330 nm confirmed the production of the nanoparticles. The presence of distinct functional groups on the surface of the nanomaterials was shown by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, indicating their importance as stabilizing agents. For ZnO/CuO nanocomposite, X-ray crystallographic analyses revealed a hexagonal structure with average crystallite size of 15nm. To investigate the antibacterial effectiveness of nanocomposites against various bacterial strains such as Pseudomonas aeroginosa (G-) and Staphylococcus aureus (G+), the agar well diffusion method was used. The zone of inhibitions demonstrated that ZnO/CuO NCs has good antibacterial effectiveness against both microorganisms tested. Furthermore, ZnO/CuO NCs was show more effectiveness to gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) than gram negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeroginosa).