Antibacterial activity of gold nanoparticles/zinc oxide (AuNP/ZnO) hybrid nanostructures

Abstract Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles are widely used in biomedicine due to their notable antimicrobial properties. The most effective method to enhance its efficiency is by combining it with noble metals like gold nanoparticles (AuNP). This forms hybrid nanostructures that improve catalytic react...

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Main Authors: Aldrin Lalem, Jay Dulog, Jared Deve Delicana, Renzo Luis Reazo, Ryan Lumod, Rolen Brian Rivera, Noel Lito Sayson, Romnick Unabia, Gerard Dumancas, Rey Capangpangan, Mario Tan, Arnold Alguno
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-07-01
Series:Discover Materials
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s43939-025-00301-y
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author Aldrin Lalem
Jay Dulog
Jared Deve Delicana
Renzo Luis Reazo
Ryan Lumod
Rolen Brian Rivera
Noel Lito Sayson
Romnick Unabia
Gerard Dumancas
Rey Capangpangan
Mario Tan
Arnold Alguno
author_facet Aldrin Lalem
Jay Dulog
Jared Deve Delicana
Renzo Luis Reazo
Ryan Lumod
Rolen Brian Rivera
Noel Lito Sayson
Romnick Unabia
Gerard Dumancas
Rey Capangpangan
Mario Tan
Arnold Alguno
author_sort Aldrin Lalem
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles are widely used in biomedicine due to their notable antimicrobial properties. The most effective method to enhance its efficiency is by combining it with noble metals like gold nanoparticles (AuNP). This forms hybrid nanostructures that improve catalytic reactions by inhibiting electron–hole recombination and broadening the absorption spectrum. This study evaluates the antibacterial activity of the AuNP/ZnO hybrid nanostructure. The physicochemical properties of the as-prepared hybrid nanostructures were evaluated using various characterization techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (TEM-EDS), ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). SEM analysis revealed changes in the size and shape of the hexagonal ZnO rod matrix with varying concentrations of AuNPs incorporated into the hybrid. TEM-EDS confirmed the effective attachment of AuNPs, averaging 12.29 nm in size, to ZnO nanostructures, resulting in spotted ZnO nanorods, and this attachment is facilitated by the gradual chemisorption of functionalized nanoparticles. UV–Vis spectroscopy revealed a distinct blue shift in peaks from 365 nm for pristine ZnO to 354 nm in the hybrid nanostructure, indicating an energy band gap of 3.01 eV. DLS analysis revealed hydrodynamic sizes and agglomeration behavior, with AuNPs exhibiting a hydrodynamic size of 26 nm. An increase in size from ZnO to the hybrid nanostructures was observed, suggesting the formation of functional groups stabilized by weak van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonds. FTIR spectroscopy highlighted Zn–O stretching at 606 cm−1 and band shape and position alterations in the hybrid nanostructures. XRD analysis confirmed the successful surface incorporation of AuNPs onto ZnO without altering its hexagonal wurtzite crystal structure, indicating high crystallinity and phase purity. Disk diffusion tests demonstrated the antibacterial activity of AuNP/ZnO hybrids against both Gram-negative (E. coli) and Gram-positive (S. aureus) bacteria, with average inhibition zones of 14.67 mm and 18.67 mm, respectively. E. coli exhibited greater resistance due to its unique cell wall structure, while S. aureus was more susceptible, allowing easier penetration of the hybrid nanostructures and increasing cell death. This highlights the significant potential of the hybrids in combating both bacteria and the potential development of antibiotic-resistant strains.
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spelling doaj-art-39623fdbfbc74f838f0e4e15ade591af2025-08-20T03:42:02ZengSpringerDiscover Materials2730-77272025-07-015111610.1007/s43939-025-00301-yAntibacterial activity of gold nanoparticles/zinc oxide (AuNP/ZnO) hybrid nanostructuresAldrin Lalem0Jay Dulog1Jared Deve Delicana2Renzo Luis Reazo3Ryan Lumod4Rolen Brian Rivera5Noel Lito Sayson6Romnick Unabia7Gerard Dumancas8Rey Capangpangan9Mario Tan10Arnold Alguno11Department of Physics, Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of TechnologyDepartment of Physics, Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of TechnologyDepartment of Physics, Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of TechnologyResearch Center for Energy Efficient Materials (RCEEM), Premier Research Institute of Science and Mathematics (PRISM) of Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of TechnologyResearch Center for Energy Efficient Materials (RCEEM), Premier Research Institute of Science and Mathematics (PRISM) of Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of TechnologyResearch Center for Energy Efficient Materials (RCEEM), Premier Research Institute of Science and Mathematics (PRISM) of Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of TechnologyResearch Center for Energy Efficient Materials (RCEEM), Premier Research Institute of Science and Mathematics (PRISM) of Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of TechnologyIT and Physics Department, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Mindanao State University - General SantosHonors College, Henry E. and Shirley T. Frye Hall, Suite 110, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State UniversityDepartment of Physical Sciences and Mathematics, College of Marine and Allied Sciences, Mindanao State University at NaawanResearch Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Santo Tomas EspañaResearch Center for Energy Efficient Materials (RCEEM), Premier Research Institute of Science and Mathematics (PRISM) of Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of TechnologyAbstract Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles are widely used in biomedicine due to their notable antimicrobial properties. The most effective method to enhance its efficiency is by combining it with noble metals like gold nanoparticles (AuNP). This forms hybrid nanostructures that improve catalytic reactions by inhibiting electron–hole recombination and broadening the absorption spectrum. This study evaluates the antibacterial activity of the AuNP/ZnO hybrid nanostructure. The physicochemical properties of the as-prepared hybrid nanostructures were evaluated using various characterization techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (TEM-EDS), ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). SEM analysis revealed changes in the size and shape of the hexagonal ZnO rod matrix with varying concentrations of AuNPs incorporated into the hybrid. TEM-EDS confirmed the effective attachment of AuNPs, averaging 12.29 nm in size, to ZnO nanostructures, resulting in spotted ZnO nanorods, and this attachment is facilitated by the gradual chemisorption of functionalized nanoparticles. UV–Vis spectroscopy revealed a distinct blue shift in peaks from 365 nm for pristine ZnO to 354 nm in the hybrid nanostructure, indicating an energy band gap of 3.01 eV. DLS analysis revealed hydrodynamic sizes and agglomeration behavior, with AuNPs exhibiting a hydrodynamic size of 26 nm. An increase in size from ZnO to the hybrid nanostructures was observed, suggesting the formation of functional groups stabilized by weak van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonds. FTIR spectroscopy highlighted Zn–O stretching at 606 cm−1 and band shape and position alterations in the hybrid nanostructures. XRD analysis confirmed the successful surface incorporation of AuNPs onto ZnO without altering its hexagonal wurtzite crystal structure, indicating high crystallinity and phase purity. Disk diffusion tests demonstrated the antibacterial activity of AuNP/ZnO hybrids against both Gram-negative (E. coli) and Gram-positive (S. aureus) bacteria, with average inhibition zones of 14.67 mm and 18.67 mm, respectively. E. coli exhibited greater resistance due to its unique cell wall structure, while S. aureus was more susceptible, allowing easier penetration of the hybrid nanostructures and increasing cell death. This highlights the significant potential of the hybrids in combating both bacteria and the potential development of antibiotic-resistant strains.https://doi.org/10.1007/s43939-025-00301-yZinc oxideGold nanoparticlesAuNP/ZnOHybrid nanostructureE. coliS. aureus
spellingShingle Aldrin Lalem
Jay Dulog
Jared Deve Delicana
Renzo Luis Reazo
Ryan Lumod
Rolen Brian Rivera
Noel Lito Sayson
Romnick Unabia
Gerard Dumancas
Rey Capangpangan
Mario Tan
Arnold Alguno
Antibacterial activity of gold nanoparticles/zinc oxide (AuNP/ZnO) hybrid nanostructures
Discover Materials
Zinc oxide
Gold nanoparticles
AuNP/ZnO
Hybrid nanostructure
E. coli
S. aureus
title Antibacterial activity of gold nanoparticles/zinc oxide (AuNP/ZnO) hybrid nanostructures
title_full Antibacterial activity of gold nanoparticles/zinc oxide (AuNP/ZnO) hybrid nanostructures
title_fullStr Antibacterial activity of gold nanoparticles/zinc oxide (AuNP/ZnO) hybrid nanostructures
title_full_unstemmed Antibacterial activity of gold nanoparticles/zinc oxide (AuNP/ZnO) hybrid nanostructures
title_short Antibacterial activity of gold nanoparticles/zinc oxide (AuNP/ZnO) hybrid nanostructures
title_sort antibacterial activity of gold nanoparticles zinc oxide aunp zno hybrid nanostructures
topic Zinc oxide
Gold nanoparticles
AuNP/ZnO
Hybrid nanostructure
E. coli
S. aureus
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s43939-025-00301-y
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