Fabrication of ZnS–cellulose nanocomposite for drug delivery, antibacterial and photocatalytic activity

A simple in situ method was employed for the synthesis of ZnS–cellulose nanocomposites (ZS/CNC). The morphology, structure and composition of the product were determined by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis). TEM results confirmed the particles of average diameter of 10nm. ZS/CNC was explored for controlled drug delivery of ofloxacin. The maximum drug loading of 78% was observed at 2.2pH. ZS/CNC was evaluated for antibacterial activity against E. coli bacteria. Photocatalytic activities of the nanocomposites were tested for the degradation of phenol under visible light irradiation. Higher degradation of 75.62% was recorded for nanocomposite as compared to ZnS nanoparticles (58.55%). The photocatalytic studies indicated very good degradation of phenol with rate constant K of 0.01min−1 and R2 of 0.991. [Display omitted] •ZnS-cellulose nanocomposite (ZS/CNC) was prepared and characterized.•The particles of ZS/CNC with average diameter of 10nm were obtained.•ZS/CNC was investigated for controlled drug delivery.•ZS/CNC explored for antibacterial activities against E. coli bacteria.