Synthesis of ZnO: ZrO2 Nanocomposites Using Green Method for Medical Applications

Mohammed J. Tuama, Physics Department, College of Science, University of Baghdad, Jadriya, Baghdad, Iraq
Maysoon F. Alias, Physics Department, College of Science, University of Baghdad, Jadriya, Baghdad, IraqFollow

Abstract

These days, nanocomposites are very popular, especially in medical applications. The spread of diseases in general, and those caused by microbes and cancerous diseases in particular, and the increased resistance of these diseases to antibiotics, have led to the need for the rapid, low-cost, and environmentally friendly production of nanocomposites. To create the chemical G-ZnO: ZrO2 and S-ZnO: ZrO2 (green technique), two different plant extracts were utilized: Z. officinal and S. aromaticum. The effective synthesis and acceptable properties features of the nanoparticles were confirmed using characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) , diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and zeta potential. It turned out that the prepared materials (G-ZnO: ZrO2 and S-ZnO: ZrO2) were nanocomposites and polycrystalline structure with nano crystallite sizes. There was also a new peak that appeared at 2θ = 29.4 for G-ZnO: ZrO2 as a compound. FTIR was performed to investigate the nature of functional groups in the active compounds responsible for the formation of nanoparticles. There was a direct energy gap with values of 3.15 eV and 3.25 eV for the G-ZnO and S- ZnO samples, respectively, and 4.6 eV and 4.7 eV for the G-ZrO2 and S- ZrO2 samples, respectively. The morphological examination reveals some spherical nanoparticles randomly dispersed over the needle-like particles for G-ZnO: ZrO2 with 33nm average particle size, while S-ZnO: ZrO2 contains spherical, lobed nanoparticles with generally smooth agglomerates with 37nm average particle size. The prepared materials were tested on microbes using agar diffusion method. The results indicate slight superiority over the sample G-ZnO: ZrO2, however the sample S-ZnO: ZrO2 succeeded in killing microbes. As for anticancer activity of G-ZnO: ZrO2 and S-ZnO: ZrO2 nanocomposites for colon cancer cell lines (HCT-116 and LoVo), it was found that the manufactured substance helped destroy the cell, cause apoptosis, and show high levels of killing. This paper contributes to the field by presenting a viable approach to treat antibiotic resistance through nanotechnology.

Recommended Citation

Tuama, Mohammed J. and Alias, Maysoon F. (2024) "Synthesis of ZnO: ZrO2 Nanocomposites Using Green Method for Medical Applications," Karbala International Journal of Modern Science: Vol. 10 : Iss. 3 , Article 7.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.33640/2405-609X.3366