Synthesizing Ag₂O_x(3 wt%)-loaded ZnFe₂O₄ photocatalysts for efficiently saving polluted aquatic ecosystems

Herein, we report an Ag₂O_x (3 wt%)-loaded ZnFe₂O₄ photocatalysts synthesized by co-precipitation and incipient wet impregnation approach for acetamiprid degradation, antibacterial, antioxidant, and toxicity assay. Initially, bare ZnFe₂O₄ nanostructures were made through a simple co-precipitation method. In the second step, 3 wt% of various transition metal oxides (CuO_x, ZrO_x, and Ag₂O_x) were embedded on the surface of ZnFe₂O₄ photocatalysts via a wet impregnation method. Further, the prepared photocatalysts were systematically characterized using XRD, FTIR, FE-SEM, BET, HRTEM, and XPS analysis. The optimum Ag₂O_x (3 wt%)-loaded ZnFe₂O₄ photocatalysts revealed higher degradation efficiencies for acetamiprid under sunlight irradiation. Additionally, the Ag₂O_x (3 wt%)-loaded ZnFe₂O₄ photocatalysts showed more effective antioxidant and antibacterial activity than blank and bare ZnFe₂O₄ nanomaterials. The enriched catalytic efficiency can be accredited to the 3 wt% of Ag₂O_x NPs loaded on ZnFe₂O₄ nanomaterials, possibly due to the boosted transport properties of the electron-hole pairs. This study will provide a new avenue for the development of simple and effective photocatalysts for efficiently saving polluted aquatic ecosystems.