Enhanced UV–Visible triggered photocatalytic degradation of Brilliant green by reduced graphene oxide based NiO and CuO ternary nanocomposite and their antimicrobial activity

Abstract

In this manuscript, the synthesis of ternary nanocomposites NiO-CuO-RGO (NCR) via hydrothermal route by the different GO loading amounts resulting in preparation of NCR-5% and NCR-10% composites were discussed. The prepared composites were excessively studied by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman, Field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray, transmission electron microscopy, Photoluminescence and UV–Visible spectrophotometer to execute their electronic, optical and spectroscopic properties. However, the XRD and EDX results confirmed the pure phase formation of NCR composites without impurities. Later, the photocatalytic efficiency of prepared samples was examined over model organic pollutant Brilliant green (BG) degradation under UV–Visible light irradiations. Interestingly, the tested composites possess better photocatalytic efficiency than previous reports, predominantly, NCR-10% was most effective for the degradation percentage rate of BG dye (91%) in 60 min under visible light irradiation. This catalyst shown greater stability and was recycled for five successive runs. Unambiguously as we expected, NCR-5% composite was effectively degraded BG dye (80%) under UV light than NCR-10%composite which revealed less degradation rate. In addition, the indolence of pathogens also examined against two different pathogens and these results clearly stated that NCR-10% composite was acted as benign antimicrobial agent.