Synergistic catalytic and antibacterial activity, along with in silico molecular docking of bimetallic silver-copper-doped PVP-Mg(OH)2 nanostructures

Abstract

Industrial wastewater treatment is a critical challenge requiring innovative solutions to address global water scarcity. In this work, magnesium hydroxide Mg(OH)₂ nanostructures (NSs) were successfully synthesized via a cost-effective and sustainable co-precipitation approach, doped with 3 wt% polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and varying amounts (2 and 4 wt%) of silver–copper (Ag–Cu). The main purpose of this research was to investigate the ternary system's ability in dye degradation and its antibacterial properties. PVP, as a capping agent, regulates the growth of the NSs and provides stability. The incorporation of Ag–Cu minimizes agglomeration and promotes the formation of a network comprising PVP-capped NSs along with Ag–Cu nanoparticles (NPs). This interconnected network facilitates charge transport, thereby enhancing the overall catalytic performance. The study revealed that 4 wt% Ag–Cu/PVP-Mg(OH)₂ significantly degrades (99.68%) rhodamine B (RhB) in acidic medium as opposed to alkaline and neutral pH levels, and it achieves a maximum inhibition zone of 7.95 ± 0.02 mm against MDR Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). The prospective inhibitory mechanism of the synthesized NSs on the DNA gyrase enzyme of S. aureus was explored by molecular docking.