Innovative development of CuFe12O19-based ternary nanocomposites: green synthesis, dual ZnO/Au modifications for enhanced photocatalytic degradation and antibacterial activity

Abstract

Antibiotic overuse and subsequent environmental contamination are significant threats to ecosystems and human health. To accomplish this objective, the CuFe₁₂O₁₉@ZnO/Au ternary nanocomposite (NCs) was synthesized using an eco-friendly, cost-efficient, and sustainable method. The synthesis, optimized using sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS) and Valeriana officinalis L. extract, resulted in uniform spherical nanoparticles ranging from 35-75 nm that confirmed with TEM, XRD, VSM, DRS, and FT-IR analyses. The photocatalytic efficiency of CuFe₁₂O₁₉@ZnO/Au was determined for the degradation of penicillin G under varying operational conditions. Under optimal conditions (pH 5, 20 ppm penicillin G concentration, and 0.8 g/L catalyst dosage), the nanocomposite revealed 89.61% degradation rate, outperforming CuFe₁₂O₁₉ and CuFe₁₂O₁₉@ZnO. This enhancement is attributed to the reduced energy band gap of the magnetic substrate after the incorporation of ZnO and Au. Furthermore, the reusability test revealed that the nanocomposite maintained high degradation efficiency after five cycles. Antibacterial testing confirmed the strong antibacterial activity of the nanocomposite against Gram-negative bacteria, including Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. This dual functionality, encompassing both photocatalytic degradation and antibacterial effects, positions CuFe₁₂O₁₉@ZnO/Au NCs as promising candidates for sustainable environmental remediation and antimicrobial applications.