Characterization and antibacterial activity of MgO/CuO/Cu2MgO3 nanocomposite synthesized by sol-gel technique

Abstract

In this study, we have adeptly fabricated a unique tri-phasic nanocomposite incorporating MgO, CuO, and Cu2MgO3 via a meticulous sol–gel technique. The comprehensive characterization of the material was conducted using a suite of analytical methods including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and UV–visible spectroscopy. The XRD patterns confirmed the coexistence of MgO’s cubic crystallinity, CuO’s monoclinic lattice, and Cu2MgO3′s orthorhombic structure within the synthesized composite. Utilizing the Scherrer equation, the crystallite dimensions were determined to range between 31 and 70 nm. The UV–visible spectral analysis pointed to a bandgap energy of 4.26 eV for the nanocomposite, suggesting its suitability for optoelectronic applications. The material’s antimicrobial potency was also evaluated, showcasing notable inhibitory action against both Gram-positive bacteria, with a zone of inhibition (ZIO) measuring 18 mm at the highest concentration, and Gram-negative E.coli bacteria, which displayed an 11 mm ZIO at similar concentrations. The amalgamated results underscore the MgO-CuO-Cu2MgO3 nanocomposite’s potential as a multifunctional material for advancing optoelectronic technologies and its promising antibacterial capabilities.

Keywords

• MgO/CuO/Cu2MgO3
• Structural
• Bandgap
• Antibacterial activity