Cu-ZnO and Fe-ZnO nanoparticles with potential antimicrobial activity

• Grant number: 21/05176-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2022
• End date: December 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Leila Aparecida Chiavacci Favorin
• Grantee: Mariah Roberta Ferreira da Silva
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCFAR). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Nanostructured inorganic materials have some advantages such as chemical stability,high electrical and thermal conductivity, catalytic activity, relatively low production cost and,in some cases, potent antimicrobial action against bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa. In thiscontext, nanoparticles based on zinc oxide are highlighted by their physical, optical, andbiological properties, due to their proven bactericidal and/or bacteriostatic action. In addition,it is known that metals such as copper and iron also have antibacterial and antiviral activitiesthat can cause irreversible damage to microorganisms. In view of the benefits of these inorganicnanomaterials, the present work aims to synthesize, modify and characterize zinc oxidenanoparticles doped with copper and iron, in order to compare their effectiveness againstdifferent microorganisms. The synthesis of the doped ZnO nanoparticles will be performed bythe sol-gel method. The surface of the nanoparticles will be modified by silane-based polymersto promote incorporation into biological systems. The characterization will be performed byX-ray diffraction, spectroscopy in the infrared region and thermogravimetric analysis. Finally,the antimicrobial evaluation is performed by the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) andMinimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) in strains of Staphylococcus aureus bacterial andviral family Coronaviridae. With the study of synthesis and efficiency these materials areexpected to be recognized and used in products and services of populations, auxiliating in thehygienization and sterilization against bacterials, showing a selective toxicity to the same.