Decoration of 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane modified zinc oxide nanoparticles on the surface of polymeric beads for enhanced antibacterial and photocatalytic activity

The present study aimed to improve the antibacterial and photocatalytic activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) by fixing them on the surface of polymeric particles. ZnO NPs synthesized by microwave-assisted gel combustion method were decorated on the surface of polymeric microspheres using 3-glycidoxypropyl trimethoxy silane coupling agent and characterized by XRD, FTIR, FESEM-EDX, TEM, and thermal analyses. The synthesized composite material was investigated for antibacterial and photocatalytic activity, in comparison with an equivalent amount of ZnO NPs. Results showed the formation of a hexagonal, wurtzite phase of ZnO with 40 nm particle size. The ZnO-decorated composite material was formed as uniform microspheres with 1400 nm diameter and − 23.3 mV zeta potential, containing 10% w/w ZnO NPs. Time-kill assays showed increased antibacterial activity of the composite material against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Both ZnO NPs and the composite material were more potent against gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus. The photocatalytic activity was also significantly improved; the composite material showed potent adsorption and photocatalytic activity for removing methylene blue from its aqueous solution. It can be concluded that decoration of the silane coupling agent-modified ZnO NPs on the surface of polymeric microspheres was an efficient strategy to enhance the antibacterial and photocatalytic activity of ZnO NPs by reducing the agglomeration and increasing the production of reactive oxygen species.