Eco-friendly synthesis and enhanced antibacterial action of bimetallic Ag/ZnO nanoparticles using Hylocereus costaricensis stem extract

Abstract

This work presents a novel method for generating bimetallic silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles (Ag/ZnO-NPs) using Hylocereus costaricensis (HC) stem extract and microwave irradiation. Silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles were prepared separately during the synthesis process, and they were directly mixed to produce bimetallic Ag/ZnO-NPs. A thorough characterisation was conducted utilising various analytical methods to clarify the formed nanoparticles' structural, morphological and constitutional characteristics. The conventional agar well diffusion technique was then used to assess the Ag/ZnO bimetallic nanoparticles' antibacterial activity towards Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, the two most common human pathogenic bacteria. The characterisation analysis showed the successful synthesis of bimetallic Ag/ZnO-NPs with a cluster-like spherical alloy-type morphology with an average hydrodynamic diameter of 281.7 nm and a direct band gap of 2.90 eV. The antibacterial results revealed that bimetallic Ag/ZnO-NPs have a solid combinatorial antibacterial activity, underscoring their abilities to be effective antibacterial substances from renewable sources. This study opens the door for more in-depth investigation into this topic by enhancing bimetallic nanoparticles and their utilisation in the biomedical field.