Photocatalyst of Zinc Oxide - Nanocomposite and Their Applications as Antimicrobial

Abstract

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanocomposites show strong potential as antimicrobial agents, driven by their photocatalytic ability to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and release Zn²⁺ ions that disrupt bacterial cells. Despite their promise, challenges remain due to ZnO’s wide bandgap (~3.37 eV), limiting activation under visible light, along with high recombination rates of charge carriers and reduced efficacy against biofilms.