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<p>The present study reports an environmentally friendly green synthesis of bentonite-supported α-Fe₂O₃/ZnO nanocomposites using Hagenia abyssinica (H. abyssinica) leaf extract as a natural bioreducing and stabilizing agent. Structural, morphological, and optical analyses confirmed the successful formation of well-dispersed α-Fe₂O₃ and ZnO nanoparticles anchored onto the bentonite matrix, resulting in the establishment of a type-II heterojunction that facilitates efficient interfacial charge transfer and suppresses electron–hole recombination. The synergistic effect of the α-Fe₂O₃/ZnO heterojunction and the high surface area of bentonite effectively minimized nanoparticle agglomeration, leading to the smallest average crystallite size of approximately 10.36 nanometers and an apparent reduction in the optical band gap to 2.47&#xa0;eV. Antibacterial and antifungal evaluations revealed that the bentonite-supported nanocomposite exhibited significantly enhanced antimicrobial activity compared to the individual metal oxides and the binary α-Fe₂O₃/ZnO composite, with maximum inhibition zones against Staphylococcus aureus (24 ± 0.35 millimeters), Escherichia coli (22.3 ± 0.61 millimeters), Aspergillus niger (19.3 ± 0.6 millimeters), and Candida albicans (22.3 ± 0.61 millimeters) at a concentration of 100 micrograms per milliliter, while the minimum inhibitory and bactericidal or fungicidal concentrations reached as low as 1.6 micrograms per milliliter against Staphylococcus aureus. The enhanced antimicrobial performance is attributed to the combined effects of reduced particle size, improved dispersion, increased surface-active sites, and synergistic interactions among α-Fe₂O₃, ZnO, bentonite, and tannin- and phenolic-rich phytochemicals derived from Hagenia abyssinica. Notably, this study represents the first report on the use of Hagenia abyssinica leaf extract for the green synthesis of a ternary α-Fe₂O₃/ZnO/bentonite nanocomposite, offering a novel, efficient, and sustainable antimicrobial material for potential biomedical and environmental applications.</p>

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Green Synthesis of Bentonite-Supported α-Fe₂O₃/ZnO Nanocomposites Using Hagenia abyssinica Extract: Structural Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月1日

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  • Sisay Geda Bekele,
  • Eneyew Amare,
  • Dawit Darcha Ganta,
  • Girma Hailu,
  • Guta Amen

摘要

The present study reports an environmentally friendly green synthesis of bentonite-supported α-Fe₂O₃/ZnO nanocomposites using Hagenia abyssinica (H. abyssinica) leaf extract as a natural bioreducing and stabilizing agent. Structural, morphological, and optical analyses confirmed the successful formation of well-dispersed α-Fe₂O₃ and ZnO nanoparticles anchored onto the bentonite matrix, resulting in the establishment of a type-II heterojunction that facilitates efficient interfacial charge transfer and suppresses electron–hole recombination. The synergistic effect of the α-Fe₂O₃/ZnO heterojunction and the high surface area of bentonite effectively minimized nanoparticle agglomeration, leading to the smallest average crystallite size of approximately 10.36 nanometers and an apparent reduction in the optical band gap to 2.47 eV. Antibacterial and antifungal evaluations revealed that the bentonite-supported nanocomposite exhibited significantly enhanced antimicrobial activity compared to the individual metal oxides and the binary α-Fe₂O₃/ZnO composite, with maximum inhibition zones against Staphylococcus aureus (24 ± 0.35 millimeters), Escherichia coli (22.3 ± 0.61 millimeters), Aspergillus niger (19.3 ± 0.6 millimeters), and Candida albicans (22.3 ± 0.61 millimeters) at a concentration of 100 micrograms per milliliter, while the minimum inhibitory and bactericidal or fungicidal concentrations reached as low as 1.6 micrograms per milliliter against Staphylococcus aureus. The enhanced antimicrobial performance is attributed to the combined effects of reduced particle size, improved dispersion, increased surface-active sites, and synergistic interactions among α-Fe₂O₃, ZnO, bentonite, and tannin- and phenolic-rich phytochemicals derived from Hagenia abyssinica. Notably, this study represents the first report on the use of Hagenia abyssinica leaf extract for the green synthesis of a ternary α-Fe₂O₃/ZnO/bentonite nanocomposite, offering a novel, efficient, and sustainable antimicrobial material for potential biomedical and environmental applications.