Influence of nano-copper oxide concentration on bactericidal properties of silver-copper oxide nanocomposite

The study investigated influence of copper oxide nanoparticle (CuO NP) concentrations on the bactericidal properties of silver-copper oxide (Ag/CuO) nanocomposite against Escherichia coli PTCC 1329, Klebsiella pneumoniae PTCC 1290 and Staphylococcus aureus PTCC 1189. Silver-copper oxide nanocomposite with varying concentrations of CuO was synthesized using a facile sol-gel combustion route. Formation of Ag/CuO crystalline structure and particle size were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Transmission Electron Microscopy and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy. Elemental analyses were performed by energy dispersive X-ray. Morphologies of CuO NPs showed that Ag/CuO nanocomposite consisted of interconnected nanoparticles with a porous channel. Ag/CuO nanocomposite with higher CuO NPs content exhibited superior bactericidal effects. Bacterial growth profile also confirmed superior bactericidal effects of the nanocomposite at higher CuO NPs concentrations. A facile sol-gel technique with enhanced bactericidal effects at higher concentration of CuO NPs is promising for the development of cost-effective and efficacy-enhanced nanomaterials.