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Halder P, Mondal I, Mukherjee A, Biswas S, Sau S, Mitra S, Paul BK, Mondal D, Chattopadhyay B, Das S. Te 4+ and Er 3+ doped ZrO 2 nanoparticles with enhanced photocatalytic, antibacterial activity and dielectric properties: A next generation of multifunctional material. J Environ Manage 2024; 359:120985. [PMID: 38677226 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
Amid rising water contamination from industrial sources, tackling toxic dyes and pathogens is critical. Photocatalysis offers a cost-effective and eco-friendly solution to this pressing challenges. Herein, we synthesized Te4+ and Er3+ doped ZrO2 photocatalysts through hydrothermal method and investigated their efficacy in degrading Congo red (CR) and pathogens under visible light. XRD and Raman Spectroscopy confirm monoclinic and tetragonal mixed-phases without any impurities. Doping-induced defects, reduced crystalline diameter, high surface area, modified bandgap (2.95 eV), photoluminescence quenching, coupled with interfacial polarization, contribute to EZO's excellent dielectric response (1.149 × 106), for achieving remarkable photocatalytic activity, verified by photoelectrochemical measurements, LC-MS and phytotoxicity analysis. Under optimal conditions, EZO achieves 99% CR degradation within 100 min (TOC 79.9%), surpassing ZO (77%) and TZO (84%). Catalyst dosages, dye concentrations, and solution pH effect on EZO's photocatalytic performance are systematically assessed. Scavenging experiment emphasized the pivotal role of · OH in CR degradation with 96.4% efficiency after 4 cycles, affirming its remarkable stability. Moreover, EZO demonstrates ROS-mediated antibacterial activity against E. faecalis and E. coli bacteria under visible light, achieving >97% and >94% inhibition rate with an inhibition zone > 3 mm. Hence, the nanoparticle's dual action offers a practical solution for treating contaminated wastewater, ensuring safe irrigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piyali Halder
- Department of Physics, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, 700032, India
| | - Indrajit Mondal
- Department of Physics, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, 700032, India
| | | | - Somen Biswas
- Department of Physics, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, 700032, India; Department of Physics, Bangabasi College, Kolkata, 700009, India
| | - Souvik Sau
- Department of Physics, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, 700032, India; Department of Physics, Bangabasi College, Kolkata, 700009, India
| | - Sucheta Mitra
- Department of Physics, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, 700032, India
| | | | - Dheeraj Mondal
- Department of Physics, Nabagram Hiralal Paul College, Hooghly, 712246, India
| | | | - Sukhen Das
- Department of Physics, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, 700032, India.
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