Synthesis and Characterization of Reduced Graphene Oxide Iron Oxide Tin Oxide Nanocomposites for Biological Applications in Water Treatment

Abstract

In this study, the synthesis, characterization, and biological applications of rGO/Fe3O4/SnO2 nanocomposites are discussed for water treatment. The synthesis was conducted via a modified Hummer's method to obtain reduced graphene oxide (rGO), followed by the incorporation of Fe3O4 and SnO2 nanoparticles through a facile co-precipitation process. Various characterization techniques, including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), confirmed successful formation and structural integrity of the nanocomposites. The morphological analysis revealed uniform dispersion of Fe3O4 and SnO2 on the rGO sheets. Biological assays demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains, as well as selected fungal species. Notably, enhanced inhibition was observed against Gram-positive bacteria, which may be due to the synergistic interaction between the components of the nanocomposite. Overall, the study highlights the potential of rGO/Fe3O4/SnO2 nanocomposites as promising candidates for sustainable and effective water purification systems, targeting microbial contamination.