Silver functionalized gC3N4: Photocatalytic potency for chromium(VI) reduction, and evaluation of the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties

Abstract

Graphitic carbon nitride is a material of interest in photocatalysis because of its ability to absorb light in the visible region of the solar system due to its narrow bandgap. In addition, it is inert and has high thermal stability. Herein, we have functionalized graphitic carbon nitride with silver nanoparticles in order to enhance its photocatalytic efficiency. The nanocomposite (gC3N4/Ag) obtained was characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The nanocomposite was used as a photocatalyst to reduce hexavalent chromium under visible light, and it displayed better photocatalytic performance than the pristine graphitic carbon nitride. Also, the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of the silver-functionalized graphitic carbon nitride were studied, which also showed improved activities that were significantly better than those of pristine graphitic carbon nitride. The DPPH antioxidant properties also showed better efficiency than ascorbic acid, which was used as the positive control. Furthermore, the nanocomposite exhibited good antimicrobial activity against pure bacterial cultures isolated from a meat sample, with minimum inhibition of above 9.0 mm against Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescens.