Dual-Function Nanocomposites: CuS@ZnO P-N Heterojunctions for Enhanced Light-Driven Photocatalysis and Microbial...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Environmental Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Organic dyes in wastewater cause significant environmental and health issues, including increased carcinogenicity and disrupted photosynthesis.
• Elevated levels of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) from organic dyes necessitate effective remediation strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize novel CuS@ZnO nanocomposites using a hydrothermal approach.
• To evaluate the efficacy of these nanocomposites in the photodegradation of rhodamine B (RhB) and assess their antimicrobial properties.

Main Methods:

• Hydrothermal synthesis of CuS@ZnO nanocomposites.
• Characterization using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM).
• Photodegradation studies using rhodamine B and antimicrobial activity tests against Lactobacillus and Escherichia coli.

Main Results:

• CuS@ZnO nanocomposites were successfully synthesized with an average particle size of approximately 40 nm.
• The CuS@ZnO-b composite (1:1 M ratio) achieved 94.31% RhB photodegradation efficiency within 120 minutes under specific conditions.
• The nanocomposites exhibited significant antimicrobial activity, with inhibition zones of 18 mm against Lactobacillus and 19 mm against Escherichia coli.

Conclusions:

• The synthesized CuS@ZnO nanocomposites show great promise for effective water purification through enhanced photocatalytic activity and strong antimicrobial properties.
• The study highlights the potential of these nanomaterials in addressing environmental pollution caused by organic dyes and bacterial contamination.