One-step electrochemical synthesis of CuxO–ZnO for antifungal activity

Abstract

In this study, a Cu_xO–ZnO (Cu_xO:Cu₂O, CuO, Cu) nanocomposite was synthesized through a unique combination of electrochemical and solution reactions in which Cu containing compounds were synthesized from the electrolysis of a Cu anode along with redox processes in solution, accompanied with the formation of ZnO in solution that generated the Cu_xO–ZnO nanocomposite. The composition of ZnO in the material was controlled by changing the concentration of zinc sulphate in the reaction mixture. The morphology, composition, and structure of the resulting composite material were comprehensively analyzed through SEM, TEM, EDX, XRD and FTIR measurements. In addition, the dispersion properties of the material were investigated via DLS. Our findings indicated the successful formation of a Cu_xO–ZnO composite material, exhibiting a distinct morphology and a well-defined composition. The simultaneous electrochemical and solution reaction method has been proven to be an effective approach for tailoring the properties of material. The antifungal activity of the composite material demonstrated better antifungal efficacy than the individual Cu_xO and ZnO materials. This research contributed to the development of multifunctional composite materials with enhanced properties and opened new avenues for future investigations into their diverse applications.