Characterization and synergetic antibacterial properties of ZnO and CeO2 supported by halloysite

A novel antibacterial nanocomposite, CeO 2 -ZnO/HNTs was prepared by a homogeneous co-precipitation method in ethanol solution. ZnO and CeO 2 nanoparticles with sizes of approximately 8 and 4   nm, respectively, were dispersively precipitated onto the surface of halloysite nanotubes (HNTs). HNTs served as a template for reducing the agglomeration of ZnO nanoparticles and improving the interface reactions between the nanocomposite and bacteria cells. CeO 2 nanoparticles were introduced to suppress the recombination of electron-hole pairs, and narrow the energy gap of ZnO nanoparticles. The synergistic effects of ZnO, CeO 2 nanoparticles and HNTs led to the superior antibacterial activity of the CeO 2 -ZnO/HNTs nanocomposite against gram-negative Escherichia coli.