Comparative Analysis of Cu2O:ZnO Nanocomposites Synthesized via Green and Sol-Gel Methods for Antibiofilm and Antibacterial Activities

Ali K.  Hattab; Ali A.  Fayyadh; Jawad N. K.  Makassees

Ali K. Hattab Department of Physics, College of Science, University of Wasit, Wasit, Iraq
Ali A. Fayyadh Ministry of Education, General Directorate of Wasit Education, Wasit, Iraq.
Jawad N. K. Makassees Ministry of Education, General Directorate of Wasit Education, Wasit, Iraq.

Keywords: Antibacterial, Antibiofilm, Green, Nanocomposite, Sol-gel

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, especially in biofilm-related infections, highlights the urgent need for innovative antimicrobial materials with effective mechanisms. This study presents a comparative analysis of Cu2O-ZnO nanocomposites synthesized via two distinct methods: a green synthesis approach employing extract of Curcuma longa (turmeric) rhizomes G-Cu2O:ZnO and a sol-gel method SG-Cu2O:ZnO. The nanocomposites were evaluated there antibiofilm and antibacterial properties. The relevance of the structural, optical, and morphological studies of the obtained nanocomposites was determined using XRD, FTIR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and FESEM-EDX analysis. The nanocomposite sample synthesized using the green method exhibited better phase purity, uniform spherical morphology, and a smaller crystallite size range compared to those synthesized by the sol-gel method. The major distinctions are structural, where green synthesis gives a simpler binary phase structure and a better oxidation state control. The nanocomposites characterized efficient bacteria killing against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as effective antibacterial activity against multi-drug-resistant bacterial species. The Uv-Vis optical properties, characterized by narrow bandgaps and localized surface plasmon resonance (SPR), enhance their antibacterial capabilities. Thus, functional groups identified by FTIR spectroscopy also support their antimicrobial property.

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