Core/shell nanoparticles: Synthesis, investigation of antimicrobial potential and photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B

Abstract

Bacterial pathogenicity is becoming a major cause of morbidity and mortality around the globe. Researchers are tirelessly finding solutions to cure or prevent infections caused by bacterial pathogens. Nanotechnology is a fast-growing area of research, effectively influencing and preventing bacterial growth. Nanoparticles (NPs) of silver, copper and gold are being used to kill bacterial pathogens in the past years but the toxicity of NPs at higher concentrations remains a major problem. Therefore, in the present study, Co3O4@ZrO2 (CoZ) core/shell NPs were synthesized using a simple sol-gel method. The synthesized NPs were characterized using different analytical techniques revealing the absorption bands at 456 and 277 nm with crystalline size of ~600 nm core/shell. The functional groups and oxidation states were characterized using FTIR analysis. Further bactericidal properties of core/shell of Co3O4@ZrO2 NPs were tested against Gram negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and Gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subitilis) pathogens. The core/shell CoZ NPs showed maximum growth inhibitions against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. At the highest concentration of 200 μg/mL, the maximum zone of inhibition was observed. The synthesized CoZ NPs was also subjected to photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B in 180 min under visible light irradiation. The present study could be an innovative and efficient research for both biomedical and wastewater treatment applications.