Abstract
We have fabricated ZnO nanoflake structures using degummed silk fibers as templates, via soaking and calcining the silk fibers bearing ZnO nanoparticles at 150 °C for 6 h. The obtained ZnO nanostructures were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopic analysis. The size (~500–700 nm) in length and thicknesses (~60 nm) of ZnO nanoflakes were produced. The catalysis performances of ZnO nanoflakes on silk fibers (ZnSk) via photo-degradation of naphthalene (93% in 256 min), as well as Rose Bengal dye removal (~1.7 mM g−1) through adsorption from aqueous solution, were practically observed. Further, ZnSk displayed superb antibacterial activity against the tested model gram-negative Escherichia coli bacterium. The produced ZnSk has huge scope to be used for real-world water contaminants remediation applications.
Highlights
ZnO nanoparticles have significant technological applications, as they are well known for their catalytic, electrical, optoelectronic, antimicrobial properties, etc. [1]
Biopolymer, silk fiber was used as a template to synthesize ZnO nanoflakes with
Biopolymer, silk fiber was used as a template to synthesize ZnO nanoflakes with zinc acetate as a starting material
Summary
ZnO nanoparticles have significant technological applications, as they are well known for their catalytic, electrical, optoelectronic, antimicrobial properties, etc. [1]. ZnO nanoparticles have significant technological applications, as they are well known for their catalytic, electrical, optoelectronic, antimicrobial properties, etc. ZnO has vast areas of application, and a variety of nanostructures including nanoparticles, nanowires, nanorods, nanotubes, nanobelts, and other complex morphologies have been fabricated and reported [3]. Researchers suggest that nanostructures can be attached to host polymer materials such as porous resins, cellulose and silica, to minimize a hazard to humans and the environment derived from the uncontrolled release [4]. The nanoparticles fixed to the host materials make them bulkier and they can be removed and recovered after application, which makes them of potential use in removal of pollutants from the environment, e.g., to break down organochlorine pesticides, halogenated herbicides and azo dyes [5]. Using hydrothermal synthesis conditions primarily, Polymers 2020, 12, 1151; doi:10.3390/polym12051151 www.mdpi.com/journal/polymers
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