Biosynthesis of CuO/ZnO nanocomposite using Jasminum mesyni for photocatalytic and antibacterial activity

Fabrication of CuO/ZnO nanocomposite (NC) via the green method is an easy and environmentally friendly process. In this research work, CuO/ZnO NC were fabricated using Jasminum mesyni (J. mesyni) leaf extract, which acted as a reducing and capping agent. The prepared NC was characterized by Ultraviolet–visible (UV–VIS) spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). Morphological imaging of the synthesized nano-product through TEM revealed spherical to quasi-spherical particles. XRD established the crystallinity of the synthesized NC, having an average crystallite size of 16 nm. EDX spectrum indicated the existence of oxygen, copper, and zinc in the product. After characterization, the synthesized CuO/ZnO NC was tested for photocatalytic and antibacterial activity. The photocatalytic experiment showed the degradation of methylene blue (MB) in 40 min. The synthesized nano-product demonstrated good photocatalytic activity under sunlight irradiation. The bactericidal activity of CuO/ZnO was tested against three gram-positive (B. subtilis, S. aureus, and S. pyogenes) and three gram-negative (P. mirabillis, E. coli, and P. aurginosa) bacteria at various concentrations. IC₅₀ values of the bactericidal activity of the prepared NC were also calculated for each pathogenic bacteria. The results of antibacterial activity revealed an increase in antibacterial activity with increasing concentration. Graphic Abstract: (Figure presented.).