Enhanced bactericidal effect of novel CuO/TiO₂ composite nanorods and a mechanism thereof

In the current study, we aimed to represent a straightforward approach to fabricate novel CuO/TiO₂ composite nanorods by an electrospinning process using copper nitrate and titanium isopropoxide as precursors for copper oxide and titanium oxide respectively; the obtained electrospun nanorods were vacuum dried at 80 °C and then calcined at 600 °C. Model microorganisms Escherichia coli KCCM 11234 and Staphylococcus aureus KCCM 11256 had been used to check the antimicrobial efficacy of electrospun nanorods. The antibacterial activity and the interaction mechanism of CuO/TiO₂ composite nanorods against bacteria were investigated by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method and analyzing the morphology of the bacterial cells following the treatment with nanorods solution. CuO/TiO₂ composite nanorods have diameter of 100 nm and average lengths of one micrometer. The elemental analysis using EDX and EPMA confirms the presence of Cu atoms in CuO/TiO₂ composite nanorods. Results showed that doping promotes the antimicrobial effect and prepared nanorods possess excellent antibacterial abilities under visible light. As a result, our study for the first time highlights the potential of copper oxide to augment the bactericidal efficacy and hence can be used in the manufacture of medical appliances.