Highly efficient visible light photocatalytic and antibacterial performance of PVP capped Cd:Ag: ZnO photocatalyst nanocomposites

The PVP capped Cd and Ag-doped ZnO (Cd:Ag:ZnO: PVP) multifunctional nanocomposites for photocatalytic applications have been synthesized by facile microwave aided precipitation way. The synthesized samples were characterized by XRD, SEM mapping, EDX, HR-TEM, XPS, UV–Vis DR spectroscopy, PL spectroscopy, BET, EIS analysis along with their chief photocatalytic and antibacterial activities. XRD and HRTEM analyses describe the moral crystalline nature. The binding energy and the elements presents were confirmed by XPS analysis. The degradation rate of Cd:Ag:ZnO: PVP nanocomposite was 4.7 times higher than that of undoped ZnO by degrading methylene blue (MB) dye within 120 min under visible-light exposures. Besides, the Cd:Ag:ZnO: PVP nanocomposites have good cycling stability up to five successive cycles of photocatalytic degradation. EIS responses show the improved photocatalytic properties and more charge carrier's ability due to the large surface area (94.51 cm3 g−1). The improved antibacterial activities were projected by Cd:Ag:ZnO: PVP nanocomposites, hence it can be used for environmental remediation application.