Construction of nano-heterojunction AgFeO2-ZnO for boosted photocatalytic performance and its antibacterial applications

The novel AgFeO2-ZnO nano-photocatalyst with magnetic recyclability was prepared via facile sono-chemical route. HRTEM analysis showed intimate contact of AgFeO2 nanospheres on ZnO NPs. UV-vis-DRS verified excellent light harvesting capacity in visible-light region. XPS was used to verify chemical composition and valence states (Ag3d, Fe2p, O1s, and Zn2p). Peaks corresponding to tetrahedral/octahedral M-O bonds were noted in FTIR. The photocatalytic activity for dye degradation was boosted 10.5 times in AgFeO2-ZnO nano composites (NCs) relative to pristine ZnO. The high surface area of NCs provided more reactive sites that enhance dye degradation. Trapping experiments indicated that h(+) and center dot OH played a major role. The growth of Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis was inhibited to great extend on exposure with NCs. Hence, the investigation reports AgFeO2-ZnO NCs can be used as an effective environmental remediation tool through photocatalysis and found to be active as a good antibacterial agent.

Automated summary

The study demonstrated that AgFeO2-ZnO nano-photocatalyst has high photocatalytic activity and antibacterial properties, making it an effective tool for environmental remediation.