Enhanced singlet oxygen photogeneration by bactericidal ZnO–MgO–Ag nanocomposites

Significant improvement of photoactive and bactericidal properties of oxide nanocomposites due to the spatial separation of forming nanoparticles during thermochemical synthesis has been described. The evolution processes proceeding at different stages of the nanocomposites synthesis were studied by optical and luminescent spectroscopy, XRD and SEM analysis. Polyvinylpyrrolidone plays the double role during nanocomposites synthesis: as the stabilizing component at initial solutions stages and as a fuel during materials calcination. The synthesized materials demonstrate the ability to generate chemically active singlet oxygen under UV irradiation and high antibacterial activity. Created nanocomposites are promising for different medical and environmental application. •Design of wet chemical synthesis of effective bactericidal ZnO-MgO-Ag nanocomposites has been developed.•The addition of soluble organic polymer (PVP) into initial solutions optimizes nanocomposites morphology by reducing their size.•The addition of PVP into initial solutions significantly enhances bactericidal properties of ZnO-MgO-Ag nanocomposites.•PVP plays the double role during nanocomposites synthesis: as the stabilizing component at initial solutions stages and as a fuel during materials calcination.•ZnO–MgO–Ag nanocomposites demonstrate the improved ability to generate chemically active singlet oxygen and high antibacterial activity.