Multifunctional ZnO Nanomaterials: Morphological Engineering for Corrosion Resistance and Antimicrobial Activity

In this study, zinc oxide (ZnO) nanomaterials with distinct morphologies (spherical (ZnO-S) and rod-like (ZnO-R)) were synthesized and subsequently surface-modified using stearic acid (SA) to enhance their dual functionality in corrosion resistance and antibacterial activity. The structural and morphological characteristics of the nanomaterials were analyzed via FTIR, XRD, and SEM techniques. Electrochemical assessments, including open circuit potential (OCP), Tafel polarization, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), were employed to evaluate their anticorrosion performance on mild steel substrates. The corrosion current density (Icorr) of SA@ZnO-S was reduced to ۱.۱۸ µA/cm², with a corresponding charge transfer resistance (Rct) of ۲۶,۱۲۵ Ω·cm², indicating a substantial protective effect. Antibacterial activity against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Escherichia coli was assessed via agar well diffusion method, revealing maximum inhibition zones of ۴.۷ cm and ۳.۸ cm, respectively. The findings suggest that ZnO morphology and surface chemistry significantly influence the trade-off between protective and antibacterial properties, offering insights for multifunctional coating design

کلیدواژه ها:

Antibacterial activity ، Corrosion resistance ، Zinc oxide nanoparticle ، Surface modification ، anticorrosion