synthesis zno/rgo nanocomposite: structural characteristics and antifungal/antibacterial properties

The research presented herein involves the synthesis of zno nanoparticles (nps) via a simple thermal treatment approach, utilizing a solution comprising polyvinylpyrrolidone (pvp) as capping reagent and zn nitrate as the metal source. subsequently, these zno nps underwent a conversion process into a zno/rgo nanocomposite (ncs) through a simple process of polymerization. various characterization techniques such as fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction, were employed to investigate the phase composition, microstructure form, and degree of crystallinity. at room temperature, analysis using energy dispersive x-ray analysis confirmed the presence of c, zn, and o elements in the prepared nanocomposite composition. surface area of the zno/rgo ncs was determined through the adsorption–desorption isotherms of n2 gas using brunauer–emmett–teller analysis. the antibacterial and antifungal activities of graphene, zno, and zno/rgo ncs with results from the disc agar diffusion method indicating the absence of antibacterial activity in graphene and zno nps, while the zno/rgo nanocomposites displayed notable antifungal activity. moreover, graphene alone did not exhibit any noticeable antifungal properties.