A team of scientists from Russia’s Ural Federal University (UrFU) and Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology in India have developed the world's first method for the synthesis of quaternary nanocomposites based on zinc, lead, cadmium, and copper oxide (ZnO-PbO-CdO-CuO). These composites decolorise textile dyes and have antibacterial activity.

The authors have patented the development in India (application number 202141032880).

The ZnO-PbO-CdO-CuO quaternary nanocomposite was first synthesised by a simple chemical method ‘in one vessel’ and used for photocatalytic and antibacterial activity. This composite can be used to remove contaminating dyes and bacterial pathogens in water. According to the authors of the study, the composite structure showed excellent activity in both decolorising multiple textile dyes and antibacterial activity due to the synergistic effect of the constituent metal oxides. The composites showed high stability sufficient for technical applications. The properties of the material did not change during the year of observation.

"Metal oxide-based nanocomposites play an important role in various fields of chemistry, physics and materials science due to their attractive surface and electronic properties. More interestingly, the combination of one or more metal oxides can further enhance these properties in combination," said study co-author Rajesh Kumar Manavalan, a researcher in the department of magnetism and magnetic nanomaterials at UrFU.

"The developed composite and the method used in this study open up new possibilities for research in wastewater treatment. New nanocomposites with enhanced photocatalytic and antibacterial activity could provide an alternative to existing industrial waste management," said Murugadoss Govindhasamy, professor at the Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology.

Ural Federal University is one of the leading universities in Russia that celebrated its 100^th anniversary in 2020. UrFU is located in Yekaterinburg, the capital of the World Summer Student Games 2023. The University has initiated the establishment of the Ural Interregional Research and Education Center — ‘Advanced Industrial Technologies and Materials’ and is its project office designed for solving tasks of ‘Science’ National Project.