Fabrication of silver phosphate-ilmenite nanocomposites supported on glycol chitosan for visible light-driven degradation, and antimicrobial activities

Abstract

Recently, photo-degradation process under ultraviolet-light irradiation is being used as a substantial treatment method for the removal of environmental pollution. In this study, a silver phosphate-ilmenite (Ag3PO4-FeTiO3) hetero structure supported on glycol chitosan catalyst was completely prepared, also, and its structural, and optical properties were characterized. Meantime, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron, and UV–vis spectra were applied. The Ag3PO4-FeTiO3/glycol chitosan catalyst was used to degrade metronidazole under visible-light irradiation. The degradation rate of metronidazole in 25 min by Ag3PO4-FeTiO3/glycol chitosan nanocomposites was found to be 99.2% under UV light irradiation, which was higher than that by Ag3PO4-FeTiO3 (72.24%) and FeTiO3 (35.5%), respectively. The active species trapping test of Ag3PO4-FeTiO3/glycol chitosan indicated that ·OH and ·O2− participated during the reaction. The diffusion method was evaluated to appraise the bactericidal activity of the synthesized nanomaterials when tested against both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli bacteria, with or without LED-light irradiation. The antibacterial tests show higher inhibition zones under light illumination as compared to dark conditions. The antifungal properties of the prepared nanomaterials were analyzed by fungi (Aspergillus niger, and Fusarium solani) using disc diffusion analysis. It was confirmed that the prepared nanomaterials have the best antifungal agent as compared to the standard antibiotics. When the Ag3PO4-FeTiO3/glycol chitosan was used, the amount of inhibition zone was enhanced.