Design of ZnO-Based Nanomaterials and Nanocomposites for Antibacterial Applications

ZnO-based nanomaterials and nanocomposites are promising candidates for developing efficient, sustainable antibacterial strategies to address the growing threat of bacterial contamination across diverse sectors. However, their practical application remains limited by various constraints that affect their biological performance, stability, and biocompatibility, necessitating rational design and engineering approaches. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the strategies employed to enhance the antibacterial performance of ZnO-based systems. It first outlines the fundamental antibacterial mechanisms, followed by an in-depth discussion of advanced design strategies, including surface functionalization, elemental doping, polymer coating or encapsulation, and hybridization with carbon-based materials, antimicrobial agents, and light-activated components. The impact of these strategies on physicochemical properties, charge transfer behavior, and antibacterial performance is systematically evaluated. The review further updates recent progress in the application of ZnO-based nanomaterials and nanocomposites across various fields, including textiles, surface coatings, food packaging, air purification, and paints. Finally, future perspectives for the design strategies and promising applications of ZnO-based nanomaterials and nanocomposites are discussed. This work provides valuable insights to guide the rational design of next-generation ZnO-based antibacterial materials.