Synthesizing AgO(3 wt%)-loaded ZnFeO photocatalysts for efficiently saving polluted aquatic ecosystems.

Herein, we report an AgO (3 wt%)-loaded ZnFeO photocatalysts synthesized by co-precipitation and incipient wet impregnation approach for acetamiprid degradation, antibacterial, antioxidant, and toxicity assay. Initially, bare ZnFeO nanostructures were made through a simple co-precipitation method. In the second step, 3 wt% of various transition metal oxides (CuO, ZrO, and AgO) were embedded on the surface of ZnFeO 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 AgO (3 wt%)-loaded ZnFeO photocatalysts revealed higher degradation efficiencies for acetamiprid under sunlight irradiation. Additionally, the AgO (3 wt%)-loaded ZnFeO photocatalysts showed more effective antioxidant and antibacterial activity than blank and bare ZnFeO nanomaterials. The enriched catalytic efficiency can be accredited to the 3 wt% of AgO NPs loaded on ZnFeO 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.