Novel approach to enhance antifungal properties via formation of wavy and Sharp microstructures composed of metal oxide nanoparticles and Cdots.

In this work we have synthesized MgO and ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) and carbon nanodots using green routes. We have used the crystal violet bioassay method to evaluate the antifungal properties of MgO, ZnO NPs, and Cdots against Candida albicans on 2, 5-dimercapto-1, 3, 4-thiadiazole coated microtiter plates. We have examined the intricate mechanisms that govern their efficacy, and have provided insights into their potential therapeutic applications against microbial infections. This study elucidates the structural and functional properties of inorganic metal oxide NPs as well as organic carbon nanodots (C-dots) by employing various characterization methods such as FTIR, SEM, DLS, XRD, UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy, Optical Microscopy, EDS and Zeta potential measurements. The microtiter plates were first coated with 2, 5-dimercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole (DMcT) dissolved in methanol (1 gm/mL) and were then dried and coated with NPs and C-dots using their suspensions in deionised water with three different concentrations. The evolution of spinodal wave-like structures, as reported in our case of evaporating thin films, appears to leave behind spiky and periodic wavy blades and needle-like nano-microstructures composed of NPs and Cdots. We report the formation of atomistic sharp needle-shaped and saw-like nano-microstructures, which play a significant role in producing and enhancing anti-fungal surface properties against Candida albicans fungi with sizes in the range of 5 µ -8 µ. SEM images confirmed the formation of lotus flower-like structures with sharp blades, as well as needles and saw-like micro-sized structures composed of nanoparticles. This idea can be further extended for diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive healthcare applications.