Zinc titanate nanocomposites for bactericidal activity and pharmaceutical pollutant degradation Available to Purchase

Nanocomposites zinc titanate (ZnTiO₃) have been synthesized, and their structural, morphological, and optical properties were thoroughly investigated. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the formation of ZnTiO₃ with a dominant spinel cubic phase, with crystallite sizes ranging from 18 nm (pristine TiO₂) to 42 nm (ZnTiO₃ with 5% doping). Structural and optical characterizations confirmed the successful incorporation of Zn into the TiO₂ lattice, resulting in the formation of a perovskite ZnTiO₃ phase with a narrowed band gap of 2.95 eV, compared to 3.13 eV for TiO₂ and 3.10 eV for ZnO. The photocatalytic efficiency for methylene blue degradation was significantly enhanced, achieving 98.9% degradation within 120 min, surpassing undoped TiO₂ (68%) and ZnO (72%). In addition, an improved degradation rate constant of 0.0336 min⁻¹ was obtained. The antimicrobial efficacy was evaluated against gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus), gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa), and the fungal strain Candida albicans. Results demonstrated that ZnTiO₃ exhibited the highest bactericidal activity at low concentrations, outperforming the standard antibiotic control (Nalidixic acid, 30 µg/ml) in many cases. Dose-dependent inhibition studies showed enhanced antimicrobial effects at 10 µg/ml, with 2.5 µg/ml identified as the optimal concentration, balancing efficacy, and minimal toxicity.