Co3O4-CuO-ZrO2 nanocomposite: Optical, spectral, morphological, structural and antibacterial studies

In this research, a tri-phase nanocomposite of Co3O4-CuO-ZrO2 was synthesized using the co-precipitation technique. The physical characteristics of the fabricated nanocomposites were analyzed through various analytical techniques including FTIR, XRD, SEM, EDX, and UV-visible spectroscopy. The XRD analysis underscored the formation of a nanocomposite consisting of cubic Co3O4, monoclinic ZrO2, and monoclinic CuO phases. The crystallite size (D) was determined using Scherrer's formula. Additionally, EDX analysis confirmed the intended elemental composition.The antibacterial activity results indicated a weak effect on both positive and negative bacteria. Furthermore, the energy bandgap of the Co3O4-CuO-ZrO2 nanocomposite was calculated to be 2.67 eV based on UV-visible spectroscopy. These findings suggest that the Co3O4-CuO-ZrO(2 )nanocomposite possesses exceptional properties, positioning it as a promising material for various optoelectronic applications.