Tailored synthesis of a novel silver-decorated l-cysteine-modified graphene oxide nanohybrid with enhanced photocatalytic and antibacterial performances

Abstract

Noteworthy, potential materials such as l-cysteine and Ag nanoparticles display promising and favorable features in target applications. In the present study, a novel nanohybrid containing l-cysteine-modified graphene oxide (CysGO) decorated with silver nanoparticles (Ag/CysGO) was facilely fabricated through an ultrasound route and characterized by multiple techniques. The antibacterial activity of CysGO and Ag/CysGO nanomaterials was investigated separately for gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria degradation. Owing to the significant antibacterial properties of Ag nanoparticles, Ag/CysGO demonstrated remarkable antibacterial performance for different bacteria. Ag/CysGO also was utilized for the photocatalytic degradation of MB pollutants to corresponding safe materials. Kinetic evaluations for the photocatalytic degradation of MB over prepared catalysts under visible light illumination have been investigated. Based on the reusability tests, the prepared nanohybrid demonstrates the reusability activity without a substantial activity loss. Overall, Ag/CysGO nanohybrid can be an efficient nanomaterial for environmentally friendly photocatalytic degradation approaches.