Abstract

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures were synthesized by microwave assisted hydrothermal route. Polyaniline (PANI) based
nanocomposite filled with ZnO nanoparticles were prepared by in situ chemical oxidative polymerization method of aniline in
an acid medium with ammonium peroxydisulfate as an oxidant. The composition, morphology, and structure of the polymer
and the composite were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction, scanning electron
microscopy, and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. The flaky shaped structure of PANI/ZnO nanocomposite confirms the smooth
PANI layer on the surface of ZnO nanoparticles and formation of a core-shell structure. Furthermore, the PANI/ZnO nanocomposite
possess high antimicrobial activity against the model microbes Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) and Staphylococcus (Gram-
positive). It is expected that the PANI/ZnO nanocomposite is the promising material for the application in the biomedical field.