Synergistic role of metal oxide loading cocatalysts on photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants and inactive bacteria over template-free ZnFeO nanocubes.

For wastewater treatment, a highly reliable and ecologically friendly oxidation method is always preferred. This work described the production of a new extremely effective visible light-driven AgO loaded ZnFeO nanocomposties photocatalyst using a wet impregnation technique. Under visible light irradiation, the produced AgO loaded ZnFeO nanocomposties were used in the photodegradation of rhodamine B (RhB) and Reactive Red 120 (RR120) dyes. Analysis using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy revealed that AgO nanoparticles were well dispersed on the surface of ZnFeO NPs and that the AgO loaded ZnFeO NPs were created. When compared with bare ZnFeO NPs, AgO-loaded ZnFeO nanocomposites showed better photocatalytic activity for RhB and RR120 degradation under visible light (>420 nm) illumination. The reaction kinetics and degradation methodology, in addition to the photocatalytic degradation functions of AgO-loaded ZnFeO nanocomposites, were thoroughly investigated. The 3 wt% AgO loaded ZnFeO nanocomposites have a 99% removal efficiency for RhB and RR120, which is about 2.4 times greater than the ZnFeO NPs and simple combination of 1 wt% and 2 wt% AgO loaded ZnFeO nanocomposites. Furthermore, the 3 wt% AgO loaded ZnFeO nanocomposites demonstrated consistent performance without decreasing activity throughout 3 consecutive cycles, indicating a potential approach for the photo-oxidative destruction of organic pollutants as well as outstanding antibacterial capabilities. According to the findings of the experiments, produced new nanoparticles are an environmentally friendly, cost-efficient option for removing dyes, and they were successful in suppressing the development of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.