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Plant assisted synthesis of CuO/ZnO heterojunction nanocomposites using Mitragyna speciosa (Korth.) Havil leaf extract for photocatalytic activity under full spectrum LED light and antibacterial performance
Author(s)
Phunpueok, Akapong
Thongpool, Voranuch
Jaiyen, Sarawut
Bootchanont, Atipong
Sukprasit, Nuchita
Date Issued
July 15, 2026
Type
Article
Abstract
CuO/ZnO heterojunction nanocomposites were synthesized through a green plant assisted method using Mitragyna speciosa leaf extract as a natural reducing and stabilizing agent. Structural and morphological analyses (XRD, FE-SEM, EDS, UV–vis, and BET) confirmed the formation of CuO/ZnO heterostructures with mesoporous characteristics. The 0.25CuO/0.75ZnO heterojunction nanocomposites exhibited the smallest ZnO crystallite size (∼8.06 nm) and the highest surface area (28.97 m2/g). Photocatalytic performance evaluated by methylene blue degradation under full-spectrum irradiation showed that the 0.25CuO/0.75ZnO heterojunction nanocomposites achieved 92.29% degradation within 90 min with a rate constant of 0.02491 min−1. In addition, the nanocomposites demonstrated strong antibacterial activity, achieving 99.9% reduction of E. coli and >99.9% inhibition of S. aureus . The enhanced performance is attributed to efficient charge separation at the CuO/ZnO heterojunction and the generation of reactive oxygen species.
Citation
Results in Chemistry, 27, 2026