SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION of AgO:FeO NANOCOMPOSITES: STRUCTURAL, OPTICAL, AND ANTIMICROBIAL ANALYSIS

Mohammed  Zorah; Hasan Bakheet  Jasim; Hayder Ayyed Naser; Mustafa Mudhafar; Che Nor Aiza  Jaafar; Ismail  Zainol

Mohammed Zorah Department of Computer Techniques Engineering, Imam Alkadhim University College, 10087, Baghdad, Iraq.
Hasan Bakheet Jasim Department of Computer Techniques Engineering, Imam Alkadhim University College, 10087, Baghdad, Iraq.
Hayder Ayyed Naser Department of Computer Techniques Engineering, Imam Alkadhim University College, 10087, Baghdad, Iraq.
Mustafa Mudhafar Centre for Research on Environment and Renewable Energy, University of Kerbala, Karbala 56001, Iraq.
Che Nor Aiza Jaafar Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43000, Serdang Selangor, Malaysia.
Ismail Zainol Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Proton City, 35900, Tanjung Malim, Perak, Malaysia.

Keywords: AgO:FeO nanocomposite, green synthesis, Anethum graveolens, antimicrobial activity

Abstract

The green synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles has attracted considerable interest owing to its eco-friendly, cost-effective, and sustainable nature. Silver oxide (AgO) and iron oxide (FeO) nanoparticles exhibit good antibacterial and optical properties and their coalescence into nanocomposites may enhance biological activity through synergistic effects. This work contains the green synthesis and characterization of silver oxide/iron oxide (AgO:FeO) nanocomposites by a green chemistry strategy. The structural, morphological, elemental compositional and optical properties were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), energy dispersive x-ray (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and UV-visible spectroscopy. Analysis with XRD patterns revealed that pure crystalline AgO and FeO phases had formed without any detectable impurities. Nanoparticles showed mild agglomeration with average diameter ca 164 nm in FESEM imaging. The FTIR spectra analyses gave evidence of bio-organic functional groups originating from the plant extract, in addition to metal–oxygen bonds that signifying successful green synthesis route. Characteristic surface plasmon resonance that confirmed the formation of nanocomposite was seen from UV–visible spectroscopy. The antibacterial activity of the AgO:FeO nanocomposites was evaluated by mean of the agar well diffusion method against a broad spectrum of pathogenic microorganisms, such as Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis)), Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Klebsiella species)). The nanocomposites exhibited significant antibacterial activity with the largest inhibition (23.67 mm) against S. epidermidis. The AgO: FeO nanocomposite showed synergistic antibacterial properties which were comparable with, or even greater than those of the individual AgO and FeO nanoparticles. This improvement is mainly due to high surface and enhanced ROS production. These findings highlight the potential of AgO:FeO nanocomposites synthesized through a biosynthesized green chemistry process as effective antimicrobial agents for medicinal applications.