Self-template impregnated silver nanoparticles in coordination polymer gel: photocatalytic CO2 reduction, CO2 fixation, and antibacterial activity

CO2 fixation and light-assisted conversion of CO2 in the presence of water into fuels and feedstocks are clean and sustainable techniques to alleviate the energy crisis and global climate change. In this regard, herein, a waterborne multifunctional metal–organic coordination polymer gel (Ag@GMP) was prepared from silver nitrate and guanosine 5′-monophosphate. Electron microscopy exhibits that Ag@GMP has a flower-like structure, which is composed of vertically grown sheets, and corresponding high magnification images display the presence of silver nanoparticles on the vertically grown sheets. Ag@GMP demonstrates remarkable photocatalytic performance, achieving a CO2 conversion rate of 18.6 μmol g−1 with approximately 85% selectivity towards CO at ambient temperature without using sacrificial agents. In situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy was employed to elucidate the proposed mechanism for photocatalytic CO2 reduction. Additionally, Ag@GMP exhibits significant catalytic activity in the fixation of CO2 with epoxides, leading to the formation of valuable chemicals under atmospheric pressure. Ag@GMP demonstrated efficient antibacterial activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The highest zone of inhibition was observed against S. aureus MTCC 3160 (15.83 ± 1.1 mm), and for E. coli, P. aeruginosa PAO1, and B. subtilis, it was found to be 12.66 ± 0.9, 14.33 ± 0.8 and 12.8 ± 0.8 mm, respectively.