Efficient fabrication, antibacterial and catalytic performance of Ag-NiO loaded bacterial cellulose paper

This study reports the synthesis of bacterial cellulose (BC) hydrogel sheets and their utilization as a support for silver-nickel oxide nanocomposites (Ag/NiO). A two-step facile hydrothermal method was employed for the preparation of Ag/NiO, followed by impregnation into BC hydrogel sheets. A 20% Ag/NiO composition was revealed by dry weight analysis. The stability of nanocomposites-Hydrogel was confirmed by Ag+ and Ni2+ ion release study. The catalytic activity of the BC-Ag/NiO was evaluated against chemical reduction of congo red, methyl orange and methylene blue. The reduction reaction followed pseudo first order kinetics and kapp values of 0.1147 min-1, 0.1323 min-1 and 0.12989 min-1 were obtained for CR, MO, and MB dyes, respectively. The BCAg/NiO catalyst could be easily recovered and re-used in another reaction without centrifugation. The synthesized nanocomposites hydrogel was also tested for its antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli (E.coli) and Gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus).

Automated summary

This study successfully synthesized bacterial cellulose (BC) hydrogel sheets and used them as a support material for silver-nickel oxide nanocomposites (Ag/NiO). The BC-Ag/NiO showed excellent catalytic activity and reduction capacity towards congo red, methyl orange, and methylene blue dyes. The nanocomposites hydrogel also demonstrated good antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.