Abstract

In this study, a 0.95ZnO-0.5CuO nanocomposite was successfully synthesized using the solution combustion method at a temperature of 500°C for 6 hours. The structural and optical properties of the material were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. The antibacterial properties were tested using the agar well diffusion method against Escherichia coli (E. coli). The XRD analysis revealed sharp Bragg peaks, indicating high crystallinity of the nanocomposite. The material exhibited a mixture of hexagonal (ZnO) and monoclinic (CuO) phases. The crystallite size was calculated to be 20.18 nm, confirming the nanoscale structure of the composite. UV-Vis spectroscopy demonstrated optical activity under UV light, with a measured optical band gap of 3.11 eV. The antibacterial tests showed promising results, with the composite material achieving inhibition zone diameters of 15.12 mm at 15.6 mg/mL concentration against E. coli.