Ag2O/ZnO/CuO and Ag2O/ZnO/NiO immobilised on reduced graphene oxide: synthesis, characteristics and its adsorption, catalytic behaviour and antibacterial activities

Abstract

ABSTRACT Ag2O/ZnO/CuO (A/Z/C) and Ag2O/ZnO/NiO (A/Z/N) nanometal oxides were synthesised in different rations by co-precipitation method and were immobilised on reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The prepared nanocomposites were characterised by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Their application in the adsorption of MB, RhB and MO dyes, olefin oxidation and antibacterial properties were investigated. The results showed that A/Z/N/rGO adsorbent has 99% (10 min), 93% (20 min) and 97% (12 min) adsorption of MB, RhB and MO, respectively. From the investigation of Freundlich and Langmuir models, it was found that the adsorbent follows Langmuir. Moreover, the reaction thermodynamics was also studied, the reaction was endothermic and spontaneous. The kinetics of dye adsorption MB, RhB and MO on the surface follow a pseudo-second order model. At optimum condition, the conversion and selectivity of α-methylstyrene to acetophenone was >99% by A/Z/N and A/Z/C catalysts. A/Z/C/rGO nanocomposite has good antibacterial properties against two bacteria E. coli and S. aureus.