Eco-friendly synthesis and multifunctional characterization of ZrO2/Cu4O3/MnO2/CuMnO2 nanocomposite with enhanced thermal stability and antibacterial activity

BACKGROUND: This study presents a simple chemical co-precipitation method for synthesizing a multifunctional ZrO2/Cu4O3/MnO2/CuMnO2 nanocomposite, utilizing distilled water as the reaction solvent and an eco-friendly medium, followed by thermal treatment at 500 °C for 2 h. This aqueous-based process allows precise control over the synthesis of a hybrid metal-oxide system, enhancing its thermal and functional properties. METHODS: Comprehensive characterization was performed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis). RESULTS: XRD results showed well-crystallized phases with average particle sizes in the nanometer range, while EDX revealed uniform elemental distribution without detectable impurities. The nanocomposite exhibits a direct optical band gap of approximately 2.97 eV and strong absorption in the UV-Vis region, indicating semiconductor behavior. Thermogravimetric analysis confirmed high thermal stability up to elevated temperatures. Additionally, the nanocomposite demonstrated strong antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), with inhibition zones reaching up to 18 mm. CONCLUSION: The combination of high thermal stability, suitable optical properties, and robust antibacterial performance suggests the potential of this new nanocomposite for applications such as antimicrobial coatings and other multifunctional electronic materials.