Novel ZnO–MnO2–Cu2O triple nanocomposite: Facial synthesis, characterization, antibacterial activity and visible light photocatalytic performance for dyes degradation-A comparative study

Abstract

Novel ZnO–MnO2–Cu2O (ZMC) triple nanocomposite (TNC) was synthesized via the facial synthesis method. For comparison, ZnO–MnO2 (ZM) and ZnO–CuO (ZC) nanocomposites (NCs) were prepared. The prepared samples were characterized by UV–vis, FTIR, XRD, SEM, and EDS techniques. The optical activity of the samples was studied via UV–vis analysis. The FTIR spectra confirmed the presence of metal-O bands in samples. The crystalline structure of the samples was studied via XRD pattern. The morphology of the prepared compounds was analyzed via SEM images. The presence of Zn, Mn, and Cu in the prepared samples was confirmed via EDS test. The photocatalytic activity of ZM NC and ZMC TNC was examined by degradation of Rhodamine B and Direct Red dyes in visible light. In comparison, ZMC TNC degrades dyes considerably faster than ZM NC. The antimicrobial activity of ZMC TNC, ZM NC, and ZC NC displayed a high activity against the common pathogens Escherichia coli (E. coli, ATCC 9637) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus, ATCC 12600) especially in the case of ZMC TNC. As an important achievement, the present researchers showed that the simple synthesis of TNCs is possible, and also TNCs have high capabilities due to their new, consolidated, triple and combined properties.