Green synthesis and characterization of bimetallic nanoparticles (Cu-Zn) FROM Gracilaria edulis and evaluation of their biological activities

Gracilaria edulis belonged to the Gracilariaceae family. Gracilaria edulis was a type of red algae species. It was an edible seaweed present on the southeast coast of India. It was used as an alternative food supplement to fulfil the basic nutritional needs of humans. It acted against bacteria. It was analysed using the agar-well diffusion technique. In this work bimetallic (Cu-Zn) nanoparticles were synthesized. This aqueous extract acted as both a surfactant and a reducing agent. Then the nanoparticles were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy, SEM, DLS, and XRD to identify the physicochemical properties of the nanoparticles. Each characterization technique was used for various analyses of nanoparticles. The size, shape, and nature of the crystal were identified by SEM, DLS, and XRD techniques. The Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy technique was used to identify the functional group of the bimetallic nanoparticles. The UV-Vis spectroscopy technique was used to show the optical and chemical properties and formation of colloidal plasmon bands of the bimetallic nanoparticles. Then the bimetallic nanoparticles and aqueous extract were used to evaluate their antimicrobial activity. From there, we confirmed the bimetallic nanoparticles and aqueous extract are acted against bacteria and the bimetallic nanoparticles (Cu-Zn) had more properties compared to monometallic nanoparticles (Cu, Zn).