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Vol. 38 No. 5 (2026): Vol 38, Issue 5, 2026

Copyright (c) 2026 Raj Shekhar Phaneendra P, K Raghu, venkata Satya Machiraju P

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Synthesis and Characterisation of CuO-Ag Nanocomposites with Enhanced Antimicrobial Activity

https://doi.org/10.14233/ajchem.2026.35526
P. Raj Shekhar Phaneendra
Department of Physics, Annamalai University, Chidambaram-608002, India; Department of Physics, Pragati Engineering College (A), Surampalem-533437, India
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2318-5875
K Raghu
Department of Physics, Annamalai University, Chidambaram-608002, India
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7530-3335
P.V.S. Machiraju
Faculty of Science, R&D Cell, Malla Reddy (MR), Deemed to be University, Hyderabad-500100, India
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1330-6757

Corresponding Author(s) : P.V.S. Machiraju

drpvsm.res@gmail.com

Asian Journal of Chemistry, Vol. 38 No. 5 (2026): Vol 38, Issue 5, 2026

Abstract

Metal oxide-metal nanocomposites offer enhanced thermal stability, catalytic efficiency, charge transport, and antimicrobial activity, with performance strongly governed by composition ratio, dispersion, and interfacial quality. The present study reports the synthesis, physico-chemical characterisation and bioactivity of CuO-Ag nanocomposites prepared in three composition ratios (1:2, 1:1 and 2:1), designated as G1, G2, and G3, respectively, via a hydrothermal route. The obtained nanocomposites were systematically analysed using FTIR, XRD, SEM, TEM, SAED, XPS, and TGA to evaluate their structural, morphological, compositional and thermal characteristics. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of Cu–O bonding and interfacial Ag–O–Cu interactions, accompanied by composition-dependent band shifts. XRD patterns revealed the coexistence of monoclinic CuO and face-centred cubic Ag phases. SEM and TEM micrographs showed CuO nanostructures decorated with well-dispersed Ag nanoparticles, indicating effective heterostructure formation. XPS spectra verified the presence of Cu2+ species together with metallic Ag. Thermal analysis demonstrated that all samples were stable up to approximately 330 ºC, with G2 exhibiting the highest thermal resistance. The antimicrobial performance was strongly influenced by composition; G1 (1:2) displayed the highest antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and notable antifungal efficacy against Aspergillus niger, whereas G3 showed comparatively weak biological activity.

Keywords

Metal Metal oxide Composites Antibacterial Antifungal
(1)
Phaneendra, P. R. S.; Raghu, K.; Machiraju, P. Synthesis and Characterisation of CuO-Ag Nanocomposites With Enhanced Antimicrobial Activity. ajc 2026, 38, 1153-1158.
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Author Biographies

P. Raj Shekhar Phaneendra, Department of Physics, Annamalai University, Chidambaram-608002, India; Department of Physics, Pragati Engineering College (A), Surampalem-533437, India

Research Scholar Department of Physics, Annamalai University, Chidambaram 608002 Tamil Nadu, India & Department of Physics, Pragati Engineering College(A), Surampalem 533437,AP ,India

P.V.S. Machiraju, Faculty of Science, R&D Cell, Malla Reddy (MR), Deemed to be University, Hyderabad-500100, India

Faculty of Science,R&D Cell,Malla Reddy(MR) Deemed to be University,Hyderabad-500100

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