Concurrent fabrication of ZnO–ZnFe2O4 hybrid nanocomposite for enhancing photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants and its bacterial inactivation

Abstract

In this research, we looked at how heterostructure fabrication, phase ratio, and crystalline nature affect the photocatalytic activity of ZnO/ZnFe2O4 nanocomposite for the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) dye when exposed to sunlight irradiation. Magnetic ZnO/ZnFe2O4 hybrid nanocomposites were made using a co-precipitation technique. The synthesized hybrid nanocomposite were analyzed using a variety of characterization techniques to understand more about their chemical, crystallinity, and photoactive characteristics. Using UV–Visible spectra, the absorption and photocatalytic efficiency of photocatalysts were investigated. By using XPS and FTIR measurements, the surface composition and functionalization of the produced nanocomposite were observed. The synthesized ZnO/ZnFe2O4 nanocomposites exhibit irregular morphologies, and the average crystallite size is about 30 nm, by the findings of the transmission electron microscope. When exposed to solar light for 90 min, the prepared photocatalysts exceed ZnO nanoparticles in terms of photocatalytic performance by more than 45%. Pseudo-first-order kinetics governs the adsorption of RhB onto nanocomposite surfaces. Finally, the ZnO/ZnFe2O4 nanocomposites were employed for antibacterial treatments against the waterborne pathogens Escherichia coli (E.coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus). The outcomes demonstrated that the optimal disinfection efficiency against E. coli and S. aureus germs were 98.6 and 97.4%, respectively, associated with superior cycling durability. Therefore, this work offers a simple and rapid approach to the development of hybrid nanocomposites that could be used to create various photocatalytic and optical materials.