Green 2D simonkolleite/zinc based nanostructures for superior antimicrobial and photocatalytic applications

Abstract

The problem of organic contamination in water, unfavorable microbial growth on food products and antibiotic resistance against human pathogenic microbes has piqued interest around the world. The goal of this research is to see how effective green 2D Simonkolleite/Zinc based nanostructures (SM-Zn NS) against various human pathogenic (bacterial and fungal strains) and their photo degradation activity. Fine 2D Nanosheets of SM-Zn NS were observed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). X-ray diffraction validated the crystalline structure of SM-Zn NS. The disc diffusion method was used to demonstrate the bactericidal effect of SM-Zn NS. On various bacterial strains, including Microcuccus luteus (Ml), Basilus subtilis (Bs), Staph aureus (Ba), Basilus pumilus (Bp), E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa), Staph epidermidis, and Bordetetella bronchiseptica (Bb), at different concentrations of SM-Zn NS (10 μg/mL, 20 μg/mL) and standard drug (Ciprofloxacin 1 mg/mlL). The antifungal activity of SM-Zn NS was demonstrated using the disc diffusion method. Aspergillus terreus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, and Candida albican were tested using a single concentration of SM-Zn NS 20 μg/mL and the standard drug (Terbisil) 1 mg/ml. The results showed that green SM-Zn NS have significant and higher bactericidal as well as fungicidal effects against various human pathogens. Excess Cl− concentration responsible for formation of new defect energy level due to oxygen vacancies and the formation of the heterojunction between valance band and conduction band increased the photocatalytic properties of SM-Zn NS by reducing band gap which resulted in higher photocatalytic degradation efficiency. According to the findings, green SM-Zn NS can be used effectively in environmental remediation applications, as well as can effectively address the future medical concerns.