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 it. To tackle this issue, we have synthesized the Ag/Ag₂O/CuO nanocomposite (NC) using a one pot hydrothermal process at a low temperature as a potential material for the removal of isoproturon 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 of Ag (O), which was deconvoluted by a Gaussian profile, giving 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 the NC. This blue shift is attributed to the Moss–Burstein effect, due to the addition of high concentration of silver. The photodegradation of isoproturon has been performed under light irradiation using Ag/Ag₂O/CuO NC, which exhibits photocatalytic degradation efficiency of 98%, higher than pure CuO NPs and Ag₂O NPs. The improved photocatalytic performance of the NC can be attributed to the existence of oxygen vacancies, as confirmed by the XPS investigation and EPR spectrum. The photocatalyst was also explored for its effectiveness in regeneration and repurposing of isoproturon. The antibacterial activity against both gram-negative (E. coli) and gram-positive (Streptomyces toxytricini) strains is observed and results in effective inhibition of the growth of bacteria using the produced NC.