Effective photocatalysis and toxicity investigations in zebra fish embryos using highly selective hydrogen sensors and supercapacitor electrode materials for SnO2–PANI nanocomposites

Abstract

The current study presents the synthesis of binary hybrid tin oxide–polyaniline (SnO₂–PANI) nanocomposites, which have potential applications in gas sensing, energy storage, photocatalysis, and biomedicine. Ternary hybrid formation is confirmed by a number of characterization studies, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), particle size analysis (PSA), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray (SEM–EDAX) analysis, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The nanoparticles showed good gas sensing capability, with a sensitivity for hydrogen (H₂) at 50 ppm. The electrode material exhibited a sensing capacity of 94% and a stability period of 50 days. The electrochemical performance of the binary hybrid is revealed by a three-electrode setup using a potassium hydroxide (KOH) (3 M) electrolyte. The particles exhibited a large surface area and a high current density, according to the electrochemical study. The bimetallic nanoparticles are used to degrade the rhodamine dye in a photocatalytic chamber. The nanoparticles removed 92% of the dye within 180 minutes. The model animal showed only mild toxicity to the nanoparticles in the toxicity test, which was conducted to ascertain whether the photocatalyst is hazardous. The particles showed good activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria compared to the control in the antibacterial test.