Assembling ZnO and Fe₃O₄ nanostructures on halloysite nanotubes for anti-bacterial assessments

This study reports anti-bacterial assessments of ‘halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) surface-tuned with Fe₃O₄ and ZnO nanostructures (M-HNTs-ZnO)’ against the non-drug resistant pathogenic E. coli and S. aureus, drug-resistant methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and their respective biofilms. Naturally occurring clay mineral the halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) are emerging materials in nano-bio-medicines. Fabricating HNTs' tunable surface with anti-bacterial nanomaterials can be a significant application in combating the deadly bacterial infections. SEM, TEM, FT-IR, XPS and VSM analysis corroborated a successful synthesis of M-HNTs-ZnO. The acquired results established the significant anti-bacterial potential of M-HNTs-ZnO against the E. coli, S. aureus and MRSA, respectively. The stepwise modifications made on HNTs enhanced anti-bacterial performance. Detailed SEM image analysis established possible anti-bacterial mechanisms. M-HNTs-ZnO found effective against the successfully established biofilms of S. aureus. The M-HNTs-ZnO applied in repeated anti-bacterial performance against E. coli, S. aureus and MRSA, marked its importance for water-treatments. In conclusion, M-HNTs-ZnO showed significant anti-bacterial properties that can be used in the treatment of infectious diseases. Also, its repeated anti-bacterial capabilities might be applied in water disinfection protocols.