Antibacterial, Structural, and Mechanical Properties of MgO/ZnO Nanocomposites and its HA-Based Bio-Ceramics; Synthesized via Physio-Chemical Route for Biomedical Applications

The present work reports a novel method for fabricating nanocomposites (NCs) using Magnesium Oxide (MgO) and Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) via modified sol-gel route. Furthermore, hydroxyapatite was composited with MgO/ZnO NCs to form (HA)-based bio-ceramics (BCs) with enhanced antibacterial and mechanical properties. X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy were used to perceive their structural and morphological characteristics. Selective area electron diffraction patterns confirm the plane obtained in XRD analysis. The average particle sizes for NPs and NCs were 50-60 nm, 80-120 nm, and 95-130 nm, respectively. The BCs with the mass of HA = 9.6 g and NC = 0.4 g exhibited minimum extension against applied load. It also showed better antibacterial activity against B. subtilis, S. aureus, and E. coli. Thus, BCs are suitable candidates for developing artificial bones and biomedical implants .