Electroexplosive synthesis of composite ZnO/ZnFe2O4/Zn nanoparticles with photocatalytic and antibacterial activity

Composite ZnO/ZnFe2O4/Zn nanoparticles with zinc oxide content 25-75 at % were synthesized for the first time by electrical explosion of two twisted wires in one stage in an oxygen-containing atmosphere. The morphology, phase composition, textural characteristics, optical properties and antibacterial activity against antibiotic-resistant bacteria MRSA have been investigated. The sample with the highest ZnO content (70 at.% ZnO) demonstrates significant degradation of the MB. Degradation reached 72 % within 120 min of the experiment in the visible light irradiation that was higher than that of ZnO nanoparticles produced by electric explosion of zinc wire in oxygen. Nanoparticles had enhanced antibacterial activity against MRSA which is based on reactive oxygen species generation. The ZnO/ZnFe2O4/Zn nanoparticles have prospects for widespread use in the fields of water purification and biomedicine as promising antimicrobial agents.

Automated summary

Composite ZnO/ZnFe2O4/Zn nanoparticles with different zinc oxide contents were synthesized by electrical explosion in an oxygen-containing atmosphere. The sample with 70% ZnO demonstrated significant degradation ability under visible light irradiation and enhanced antibacterial activity against antibiotic-resistant bacteria MRSA.