• Aswini, Rangayasami
• Jothimani, Kannupaiyan
• Karthikeyan, Perumal
• Radwan, Ahmed Bahgat
• Al-Qahtani, Noora
• Pothu, Ramyakrishna
• Periyasami, Govindasami
• Shanmugam, Paramasivam
• Boddula, Rajender
• Kannan, Karthik

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>This study successfully synthesized ZnO–CuO nanocomposite using the hydrothermal method with <jats:italic>Carica papaya</jats:italic> leaf extract. The incorporation of the leaf extract significantly enhanced the nanocomposite properties, a novel approach in scientific research. Characterization techniques, including X-ray diffraction, Fourier Transmission Infrared spectroscopy, and Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis, confirmed a cubic crystal structure with an average size of 22.37 nm. The Fourier Transmission Infrared spectrum revealed distinctive vibrations at 627, 661, and 751 cm<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup> corresponding to ZnO–CuO nanocomposite corresponding to stretching and vibration modes. SEM images confirmed a cubic-like and irregular structure. The nanocomposite exhibited outstanding photocatalytic activity, degrading methylene blue dye by 96.73% within 120 min under visible light. Additionally, they showed significant antimicrobial activity, <jats:italic>inhibiting Staphylococcus aureus</jats:italic> (20 mm) and <jats:italic>Klebsiella pneumonia</jats:italic> (17 mm). The results highlight the efficiency of <jats:italic>Carica papaya</jats:italic> leaf-derived ZnO–CuO nanocomposite for environmental and health challenges.</jats:p><jats:p><jats:bold>Graphical abstract</jats:bold></jats:p>

Topics

• nanocomposite
• scanning electron microscopy
• x-ray diffraction
• infrared spectroscopy