Visible light responsive AgBiS2 nanomaterials for photocatalytic applications in removal of antimicrobial compounds and bacterial pathogens: Possible electrochemical pathways

Potential synthesis of ternary chalcogenide nanocomposite to showcase a practical electronic pathway to improve photocatalytic efficiency was carried out. In the present study, AgBiS2 nanorod-shaped with remarkably visible-light absorption was prepared using solvothermal techniques. This material was employed in photocatalytic degradation of amoxicillin (AMX) under visible light irradiation. The results indicated more than 90% degradation of AMX under 60 min having a corresponding bandgap of ∼2.19 eV. In the verge of understanding the photogenerated separation of electron-hole pair, VB and CB potentials were calculated to be 2.06 eV and − 0.76 eV, proposing a possible pathway for the degradation study. The photogenerated intermediates were identified using LC-MS analysis and the mineralization was followed using TOC analysis. A scavenging experiment showed a potential reactive oxygen species involved in the oxidation of organics that proved effective in three consecutive trials.In addition, antibacterial and antibiofilm activity showcased fair efficiency of the material, especially the presence of Ag+ in AgBiS2 improves antimicrobial activity. In case of antibiofim activity, 4 × 107 CFU/mL were seen to be most effective for the biomass formation of the biofilms. [Display omitted] •A photocatalytic degradation system was assembled using AgBiS2 catalyst.•AgBiS2 via photocatalysis is efficient in the degradation of amoxicillin.•The catalyst proves to be an efficient antibacterial agent for the destruction of bacterial cell walls and cell lysis.•AgBiS2 proves to be bi-functional, stable, efficient, non-toxic, and efficient in water/wastewater treatment.