Novel NiS/Ag2MoO4 heterostructure nanocomposite: Synthesis, characterization and superior antibacterial and enhanced photocatalytic activity

Abstract

Photocatalysis is one of the versatile processes widely applied for the treatment of environmental water pollutant. In this work, NiS/Ag 2 MoO 4 heterostructured nanocomposite (NCs) was synthesized via ultra-sonication assisted and chemical co-precipitation methods. The prepared particle was characterized using HR-TEM, SAED, EDAX, UV–vis DRS, XRD, nitrogen adsorption and desorption, PL, and XPS. The band gap of NCs was found to be 2.77 eV which facilitates the enhanced activity in visible region. The heterostructure formation between NiS and Ag 2 MoO 4 have induced the separation of charges efficiently which caused the increase in photocatalytic performanc. The photocatalytic study reveals that NiS/Ag 2 MoO 4 enhanced the degradation of MB (90.8%) relative to individual NiS and Ag 2 MoO 4 . The MB degradation followed pseudo first order reaction (R 2 < 0.955). The radical trapping experiment confirmed that the major species involved in photodegradation process were superoxide and hydroxyl radicals. The prepared photocatalyst was structurally stable and highly reusable as confirmed by cycles test. Also, the NCs showed excellent anti-bacterial property. The results confirmed the good potentiality of NCs to degrade the organic dye compounds and as a good anti-bacterial agent. • The NiS/Ag 2 MoO 4 exhibited enhanced photocatalytic degradation of MB dye under visible light radiation. • The mechanism of photo-degradation activity by NiS/Ag 2 MoO 4 was elucidated. • NiS/Ag 2 MoO 4 exhibited good photostability. • Excellent antibacterial activity shown by NiS/Ag 2 MoO 4 against E. coli and B. subtilis.