Recyclable Fe3O4@C@Cu2O as an efficient antimicrobial nanocomposites

In this study, Fe 3 O 4 @C@Cu 2 O was synthesized using a solvothermal method. The morphology and structural characteristics of the material were systematically investigated through various characterization techniques, including TEM, XPS, FT-IR, DLS, and VSM. Its antibacterial efficacy was assessed through colony counting. Results showed that at a concentration of 0.5 mg/mL, Fe 3 O 4 @C@Cu 2 O nanoparticles with a copper atomic percentage of 2.42% achieved bactericidal rates of 98.45% against E. coli and 90.58% against S. aureus . Compared to pure Fe 3 O 4 @C and Cu 2 O, the composite material demonstrated a 100% bactericidal rate against E. coli and 99.23% against S. aureus . Notably, after five cycles, the composite nanoparticles maintained effective bactericidal rates, with 82.16% against S. aureus and 94.72% against E. coli . SEM images of bacterial morphology and EPR tests confirmed that the antibacterial mechanism primarily involves the generation of reactive oxygen species(ROS).