Abstract

The disinfection of wastewater using Nano Particles (NPs) has become a focal area of research in water treatment. In this study, Zinc Oxide (ZnO) NPs were synthesized using the microwave heating crystallization technique and characterized using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Fourier Transforms Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). Qualitative good diffusion and quantitative Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) tests were conducted to determine the antimicrobial activity of ZnO NPs against selected waterborne pathogenic microbes. FTIR spectral studies confirmed that the binding of urea with Zn occurs through Zn-O stretching. XRD confirmed the crystallized identity in a hexagonal ZnO quartzite-type structure. The formation of inhibition zones and low MIC values in the antimicrobial analysis indicated the effective antimicrobial activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles against the test microorganisms. The application of metallic nanoparticles in water treatment could curb the spread of waterborne microbial diseases.