Shape-Engineered Ag/Ag₂O/CuO Nanostructures for Synergistic Agrochemical Remediation and Microbial Inhibition

Abstract

The global society widely utilises pesticides to enhance agricultural productivity. These pesticides adversely affect the environment by leaching into groundwater and contaminating crops. To tackle this issue, we have synthesized Ag/Ag2O/CuO nanocomposite (NC) using one pot hydrothermal synthesis process at a low temperature as a potential source for the removal of toxins from wastewater. Comprehensive characterization of the NC was performed using various analytical techniques. The PXRD analysis confirms the synthesis of Ag/Ag2O/CuO NC. XPS validates a peak at 367.5 eV in the core level high-resolution spectra of Ag (O), which was fitted by a Gaussian profile, results in the 16.75% and 11.64% concentration of Ag and Ag+ ions respectively. DRS analysis observed a significant shift in the band gap from 1.51 to 1.65 eV in NC, this blue shift is attributed to the Moss-Burstein effect, due to the addition of high concentration of silver. The improved performance of the NC as photocatalysts can be attributed to the existence of oxygen vacancies, as confirmed by XPS investigation and EPR spectrum. The photodegradation of isoproturon has been performed using UV Light and produced Ag/Ag2O/CuO NC which exhibits photocatalytic degradation efficiency of 98%. The photocatalyst was also explored for its effectiveness in regeneration and repurposing of isoproturon photodegradation. Antibacterial activity against E. coli and Streptomyces toxytricini strain is observed and results in effective inhibition of the growth of bacteria using the produced NC.