Zirconium-silver nano organo-bimetallic network for scavenging hazardous ions from water and its antibacterial potentiality: An environment-friendly approach

Abstract

The co-occurrence of arsenic, fluoride, and pathogens in water is a serious environmental issue. Thus, simultaneous mitigation of both ions, along with microbial contamination is a need base research effort in today’s scenario. ZrMAgo adsorbent having three-dimensional and porous architecture consists of intact zirconium and silver in its structural moiety is explored for this purpose. The adsorption isotherm models, i.e., Freundlich, Langmuir, and thermodynamic kinetics, have been studied to evaluate the kinetic behavior of ZrMAgo. The highest adsorption capacities (qmax) were obtained as 64 mg g−1 and 1.75 mg g−1 for F- and As(v) respectively (pH: 7.0 ± 0.2, initial F−: 50 mg L−1, As(v):1.0 mg L−1 and dose: 0.5 g L−1). Binding energies (−304 kJ mol−1 and −279 kJ mol−1) calculated by density functional theory, for F- and As(v) respectively supports good physical interactions at atomic and molecular levels. The disinfection behavior of ZrMAgo was examined against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (Enterobacter hormaechei, Bacillus megaterium, and Bacillus bataviensis) in the presence of arsenic and fluoride in water. The process delivers safe water without leaching of ions while maintaining the pH (6.0 ± 0.2–8.0 ± 0.2).