Green Mediated Preparation of Transition Metal Doped Cobalt Oxide Nanoparticles for Wastewater Treatment

Abstract

Recent studies have shown that the metal oxide nanoparticles can inhibit bacterial growth on their surfaces due to the creation of super oxide anion when metal ions interact with UV light. One such metal oxide with antibacterial activity against a variety of bacteria is cobalt oxide (Co3O4). The optical and anti-pathogen properties of cobalt oxide nanoparticles generated from egg albumin using a microwave-assisted hydrothermal process were studied and optimized by adding copper as a dopant at varying molar concentrations (1, 3 and 5 mol%). Bare and doped samples were analyzed using SEM, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The resulting structure and small average crystalline size highlight the role of egg albumin in stabilizing and regulating size. A sample with 5 mol% copper doped material exhibited the highest resistance zone to Escherichia coli germs. Hence, by controlling the Cu content, both the photocatalytic and antibacterial properties can be enchanced.