Preparation of Cobalt Oxide Powders Synthesized by Green Chemistry Method and Improving the Antibacterial Performance of PES Membrane

Abstract

Polyethersulphone (PES) composite membrane was prepared by green synthesized cobalt oxide (Co₃O₄) powders using the phase inversion method. Both Co₃O₄ powders and prepared composite membranes were characterized by using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDX) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) techniques. Three different concentration (0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0%) was chosen for composite membrane preparation. The performance of (Co₃O₄) powders blended composite membranes were evaluated for pure water flux, BSA solution flux, and BSA rejection. In the antioxidant test, DPPH process was assayed. The highest DPPH free radicals inhibition was 86.43% for Co₃O₄ powders synthesized from walnut leaves extract at concentration of 100 mg/L. In vitro DNA cleavage studies of Co₃O₄ powders with plasmid DNA were carried out by using agarose gel process and Co₃O₄ powders completely cleaved the DNA molecules. Co₃O₄ powders displayed remarkable antimicrobial ability against common bacterial (Pseudomas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus hirae, Legionella pneumophila, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus faecalis) and fungal (Candida tropicalis and Candida parapsilosis) pathogens. Additionally, these newly prepared Co₃O₄ powders also showed considerable E. coli growth inhibiton efficiency. Furthermore, Co₃O₄ powders were very active as anti-biofilm agents producing activity by 77.5% and 89.02% against S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa, respectively. PES membrane blended with Co₃O₄ powders showed good antibacterial abilities. These results recommend that Co₃O₄ powders possess considerable biomedical and environmental applications.