Biosynthesis of CuO/Cu2O-ZnO nanocomposites via Commelina benghalensis leaf extract and their antibacterial, photocatalytic and antioxidant assessment

Abstract

This research paper presents the antibacterial, photocatalytic, and antioxidant applications of biologically synthesized CuO/Cu2O-ZnO (90:10, 80:20, 70:30, and 60:40) nanocomposites synthesized using Commelina benghalensis leaf extract. The rod-shaped and coral reef-like morphology was characterized using advanced imaging techniques like transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM). X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy revealed average size of poly-crystalline structures from 4.17 to 6.39 nm. TEM also analyzed average particle size of 8–25 nm. The energy band gap values are measured between 2.51 and 3.11 eV from UV–Visible spectroscopic technique. The antibacterial activity of the nanocomposites was determined against pathogenic bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis, and the results showed significant inhibition of bacterial growth. The antioxidant activity of the nanocomposites was evaluated using ascorbic acid as a standard, and the results upto 97.53 % scavenging indicated their potential use as natural antioxidants. The photocatalytic activity of the nanocomposites was investigated by degrading organic pollutants, methyl orange and methylene blue upto 97.63 and 96.23 %, respectively, under visible light irradiation. The results showed the efficient degradation of pollutants by the nanocomposites, indicating their potential in environmental remediation. Overall, this study demonstrates the promising applications of biologically synthesized metal oxide nanocomposites in various fields, including medicine, food packaging, and environmental remediation. These findings could pave new insights into the morphology-dependent applications of biologically synthesized nanocomposites.