Thickness-driven structural evolution and interface modulation in ZnFe₂O₄–ZnO nanocomposite thin films for antibacterial applications
Oral-In-person · Withdrawn
Abstract
Fatma Ezzahra Dhif a, Neila Jebbaria, Alberto Vomierob,c, Elisa Morettib, Kassa Belay Ibrahimb, and Najoua Turki-Kamouna
a Laboratory of Condensed Matter Physics, Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, 2092 Tunis, Tunisia.
b Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino 155, 30172 Venezia Mestre, Italy
c Division of Materials Science, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Luleå University of Technology, SE-97187 Luleå, Sweden
Abstract
In this study, ZnFe₂O₄–ZnO nanocomposite thin films of varying thicknesses were synthesized to investigate the influence of film thickness on structural evolution, morphological, optical, magnetic, and antibacterial properties. A combination of advanced microscopy and spectroscopy techniques was employed to obtain comprehensive insights into the film characteristics. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was utilized to examine the surface morphology and film uniformity, whereas energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) confirmed the elemental composition and spatial distribution of Zn, Fe, and O. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) provided detailed information on the surface roughness. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was performed to identify crystalline phases, lattice parameters, and crystallite size. The vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) measurements were conducted to evaluate the magnetic properties and their dependence on film thickness, and UV–Vis optical spectroscopy was employed to determine the optical band gap and electronic transitions. Additionally, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used to probe the charge transport behaviour and interfacial conductivity of the nanocomposite films. The 407 nm thick ZnFe₂O₄–ZnO film (ZZ407) exhibited a densely packed, uniform nanostructure with high crystallinity, a reduced optical band gap (2.32 eV), and enhanced electronic conductivity. This thickness-controlled design resulted in remarkable antibacterial activity, particularly against E. coli, a Gram-negative bacterium, and also inhibited S. aureus, demonstrating that precise thickness modulation is a powerful strategy to optimize ZnFe₂O₄–ZnO nanocomposites for multifunctional applications.
a Laboratory of Condensed Matter Physics, Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, 2092 Tunis, Tunisia.
b Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino 155, 30172 Venezia Mestre, Italy
c Division of Materials Science, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Luleå University of Technology, SE-97187 Luleå, Sweden
Abstract
In this study, ZnFe₂O₄–ZnO nanocomposite thin films of varying thicknesses were synthesized to investigate the influence of film thickness on structural evolution, morphological, optical, magnetic, and antibacterial properties. A combination of advanced microscopy and spectroscopy techniques was employed to obtain comprehensive insights into the film characteristics. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was utilized to examine the surface morphology and film uniformity, whereas energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) confirmed the elemental composition and spatial distribution of Zn, Fe, and O. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) provided detailed information on the surface roughness. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was performed to identify crystalline phases, lattice parameters, and crystallite size. The vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) measurements were conducted to evaluate the magnetic properties and their dependence on film thickness, and UV–Vis optical spectroscopy was employed to determine the optical band gap and electronic transitions. Additionally, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used to probe the charge transport behaviour and interfacial conductivity of the nanocomposite films. The 407 nm thick ZnFe₂O₄–ZnO film (ZZ407) exhibited a densely packed, uniform nanostructure with high crystallinity, a reduced optical band gap (2.32 eV), and enhanced electronic conductivity. This thickness-controlled design resulted in remarkable antibacterial activity, particularly against E. coli, a Gram-negative bacterium, and also inhibited S. aureus, demonstrating that precise thickness modulation is a powerful strategy to optimize ZnFe₂O₄–ZnO nanocomposites for multifunctional applications.
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Presenters
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Fatma Ezzahra Dhif
- University of Tunis Manar