Ensnaring animate-inanimate toxins using ZnO-MgO @ Elastomer thin films with self-cleaning and regenerative properties

3 in 1 toxin responsive multi-layer thin films having ZnO-MgO@PDMS-NH2 hybrid components were constructed via co-precipitation method followed by binary oxide inclusion in multi-layered thin polymeric films using Layer-by-Layer (LbL) deposition. The chemical nature, bonding and crystallographic behaviour of the prepared ZnO-MgO were confirmed by FTIR, XRD, UV-Vis and Raman spectroscopic studies. Fingerprint IR peaks of ZnO-MgO were recorded at 503.44 and 472.56 cm(-1) while pronounced shifting of E-2 (high) peak similar to 450 cm(-1) indexed via Raman studies validated Mg impregnation into ZnO structure. XRD patterns of MgO based ZnO compared to their previously reported pristine structures justified their composite formation. SEM micrographs confirmed homogeneous multilayered depositions while EDX based elemental analysis confirmed their uniform distribution. Stepwise multilayered growth was monitored using Ellipsom-etry and UV-Vis with a maximum film thickness similar to 91 nm and UV-Vis absorbance similar to 2.7 at 374 nm recorded as a function of 28 bilayer depositions. The multilayer system was build to design modular units promising for industrial wastewater as well as drinking water treatment setups for dye degradation, heavy metal adsorption, and antimicrobial capabilities, as confirmed by UV-Vis, FAAS, and ICP-OES studies. The constructed system is efficient to have self-cleaning and regenerating properties thus making our product environmentally friendly and cost-effective. (C) 2021 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Automated summary

In this study, 3-in-1 toxin responsive multi-layer thin films with ZnO-MgO@PDMS-NH2 hybrid components were constructed using co-precipitation and Layer-by-Layer deposition methods. The chemical nature and bonding of ZnO-MgO were confirmed through various spectroscopic studies, while the composite formation was verified by XRD patterns and SEM micrographs. The multilayer system showed promising applications in wastewater and drinking water treatment setups, with capabilities for dye degradation, heavy metal adsorption, and antimicrobial properties, making it environmentally friendly and cost-effective.