Synthesis of Ag2V4O11 nanoflakes mediated photoactivation of peroxymonosulfate ion for enhanced dye degradation and intrinsic bactericidal activity

Here we report the facile hydrothermal protocol for the synthesis of di-silver tetra vanadate (Ag2V4O11) nano flakes at an ambient pH has been successfully employed for peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation under visible light irradiation for efficient degradation of varieties of cationic and anionic dyes. Almost 100% degradation of Methylene Blue (MB) was observed in just 45 min using the Ag2V4O11 in the presence of PMS, while only 24% degradation was observed for only Ag2V4O11 that too in 150 min, which affirms that there is a synergistic effect of visible light photocatalysis and PMS activation within Ag2V4O11. The rate constant for the degradation of MB over the Ag2V4O11 photocatalyst in the presence of PMS (1.48 mM) ions was 7.138 x 10(-2) min(-1) which is about 41.02 times higher than that for only Ag2V4O11. The Ag2V4O11/PMS couple can be employed to deal with environmental threats arising due to ever-increasing industrialization. Furthermore, the antibacterial properties of Ag2V4O11 were scanned using E. coli and S. aureus by the well-plate diffusion method. Ag2V4O11 showed excellent antibacterial activity for both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, which endorses Ag2V4O11, as a promising antibacterial material for a wide range of disinfection.

Automated summary

Here, we report a facile hydrothermal synthesis method for the production of silver vanadate nano flakes, which can efficiently degrade various dyes under visible light irradiation. The synthesized material also exhibits excellent antibacterial properties, making it a promising disinfection and antibacterial material.