Design of Zn 1−x Cu x O Nanocomposite Ag-Doped as an Efficient Antimicrobial Agent

This study aims at the preparation of antimicrobial nanoparticles hybrid based on silver (Ag) doped Zn 1−x Cu x O. Zn 1−x Cu x O nanocomposite Ag-doped prepared via wet chemical route, co-precipitation, and impregnation method, respectively. The inclusion of silver in the nanocomposite did not change its structure. However, the insertion of CuO into the ZnO structure has no impact due to the similarity of Cu ion radius with Zn ion radius (0.74 toward 0.73 Å). Hybrid nanomaterials characterized by XRD, FT-IR, and FESEM technique. The effect of loading of CuO nanoparticles into ZnO nanomaterials investigated on their antimicrobial behavior. For this purpose, CuO with a variety ratio doped on the ZnO nanoparticles, and then Ag entrapped by impregnation methods. Minimum inhibitory concentration measurements were carried out to measure the antimicrobial behavior of ZnO(Ag) and mixed hybrid Zn 1−x Cu x O(Ag) towards Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and fungus. Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were generally more sensitive to ZnO and CuO nanoparticles, respectively. Then, these hybrid nanomaterials can be an excellent candidate for both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.