Ag-TiO2@Pd/C nanocomposites for efficient degradation of Reactive Red 120 dye and ofloxacin antibiotic under UV and solar light and its antimicrobial activity

Photodegradation technique is also being employed with naturally available solar energy for treating toxic pollutants to protect environment. In order to achieve the effective degradation of pollutants, the photo-induced charge separation should be in suitable levels. The stability of the catalyst plays an important role in photodegradation. To achieve the above two concepts successfully, the Ag-TiO2 @Pd/C nanocomposites were fabricated by adding different percentages of Pd/C with respect to Ag-TiO2. The formation of the nanocomposites has been exclusively described by different characterization techniques. The prepared nanocomposites have been effectively tested with Reactive Red 120 (RR 120) under direct solar & UV-A light and their performances were explored. In this work, the test parameters such as photocatalyst reusability test and different dye pH have been discussed. Further, the catalyst degraded the antibiotic ofloxacin (OFL), which is being used for the treatment of a number of bacterial infections and the degradation mechanism is proposed below. GC-MS analysis was performed, based on the retention time, molecular ion peaks and intermediates were analyzed and proposed suitable degradation pathways for RR 120 and ofloxacin drug mineralization by Ag-TiO2 @Pd/C nanocomposite. In addition, the anti-microbial activity of synthesized nanocomposites was investigated against twenty pathogens such as Gram-positive Cocci (GBC) (2), Gram-positive Bacilli (GPB) (1), Gram negative Bacilli (GNB) (15) and fungal (2). [Display omitted] •The Ag-TiO2@Pd/C nanocomposites were fabricated.•The Ag-TiO2@Pd/C have been effectively utilized for RR 120 degradation.•The potential catalyst degraded ofloxacin (OFL) antibiotic.•Suitable degradation pathways were proposed by GC-MS analysis.•The anti-microbial activity of synthesized nanocomposites was investigated.