Summary: | In this research, raw multiwalled carbon nanotubes (R-MWCNT) was successfully functionalized using sulfuric acid and nitric acid. Then a hybrid (ZnO-MWCNT) synthesized by the sol-gel method where diethylene glycol was used as a solvent and stabilizer that works to prevent the accumulation of nanoparticles and reduces the viscosity of the solution. A group of diagnostic techniques, including XRD, UV-Vis, EDX and microscopy has recognized the structural and optical properties of the prepared nanoparticles. High Resolution Electronic Scanner (FE-SEM) was also used in the investigation. FE-SEM images showed the formation of the hybrid (ZnO-MWCNT) by the growth of spherical clusters on the surface of the cross-linked tubes (MWCNT). In addition, FE-SEM images confirmed the success of a ZnO-MWCNT hybrid. The emergence of spherical shapes deposited on cylindrical tubes and associated with a wrinkled surface was recognized. In addition, the particle size ratio increased. The UV-Vis spectra revealed that all the composites had good absorbency with a shift towards short wavelengths. While it was observed from the analysis of X-ray diffraction (XRD) the formation of a hexagonal wurtzite crystal structure due to zinc oxide with a polycrystalline nature. The average crystal size calculated from the Debye-spark equation increased with the increase in the concentration of the streaked material. Antibacterial activity was studied for all prepared samples against <em>Escherichia coli</em> (<em>E. coli</em>) and <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> (<em>S. aureus</em>) at different μg/ml concentrations (500, 750, and 1000). It was observed that the highest inhibition Zone for functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (F-MWCNT) and ZnO-MWCNT hybrid was (17.3, 12.3mm), (22.5, 19mm) for <em>Escherichia coli</em> and <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em>, respectively.
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