The high impact of zinc chromium oxide nanocombs on development of larvicidal and antimicrobial performance.

Zinc chromium oxide (Cr/ZnO, 5wt.%) was prepared by a facile chemical co-precipitation route. The structure, composition, and chemical bonding were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) indicating that chromium ions were integrated the host framework to form Cr/ZnO nanocomposite. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) micrographs showed comb-shaped nanoparticles with an average size 20 nm and large surface area. The energy gap of the thin films was estimated from T% and R% measurements which exhibit a strong optical absorption edge close to the visible spectrum. The insecticidal activity of the synthesized nanocombs against C. pipiens larvae was evaluated with LC ₅₀ (30.15 ppm) and LC ₉₀ (100.22 ppm). Besides, the nanocomposite showed high antibacterial performance against gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis) and gram-negative bacteria (Proteus vulgaris) with inhibition zones 21.9 and 19 mm, respectively.
(© 2024. The Author(s).)