Construction of active bio‐nanocomposite by inseminated metal nanoparticles onto activated carbon: probing to antimicrobial activity

The bio‐nanocomposite role in wastewater treatment is a primary concern of this research. The physical, chemical, mechanical stability and antimicrobial activity of these bio‐nanocomposites were investigated. The method is based on the biological reduction of aqueous copper sulphate pentahydrate, lead nitrate, silver nitrate, zinc sulphate heptahydrate salt using seed extract of Eucalyptus globulus as reducing agent at ambient temperature. The synthesised metal nanoparticles (MNPs) were analysed by UV‐visible spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses. An ex‐situ method involves constructing bio‐nanocomposite by blending MNPs with tea waste activated carbon. Cross‐linking in activated carbon takes place which was confirmed by changes in the mixture of components. The present yield of activated carbon was characterised by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X‐ray measurements. A few micro or nano range, spherical shape of activated carbon was studied by SEM. The main elements found in the activated carbon by EDX are C, O, S, Ag, Cl and Cu. The efficacy of such active bio‐nanocomposite (ABN) tested against human pathogen includes both type of bacteria and fungus. The inhibitory effects of ABN are discernible from the results that reveal biologically inseminated MNPs can be used to clean up the contaminated environment.Inspec keywords: nanocomposites, activated carbon, wastewater treatment, copper compounds, nitrogen compounds, Fourier transform infrared spectra, scanning electron microscopyOther keywords: active bio‐nanocomposite, inseminated metal nanoparticles, activated carbon, antimicrobial activity, wastewater treatment, mechanical stability, biological reduction, aqueous copper sulphate pentahydrate, lead nitrate, silver nitrate, zinc sulphate heptahydrate salt, Eucalyptus globulus, synthesised metal nanoparticle, MNP, UV‐visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray measurement, SEM