Proficient visible-light-driven photocatalytic and anti-biofilm activity of biosynthesized CeO2-graphene oxide nanocomposites

• Published in: Materials chemistry and physics 2023-04, Vol.298, p.127397, Article 127397
• Main Authors: Iqbal, Arshad, Ahamad, Tanveer, Qais, Faizan Abul, Ahmad, Nafees, Shafi, Adil, Ahmed, Arham Shareef, Srivastava, Seema
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anti-biofilm activity; GO/CeO2 nanocomposites; Green synthesis; Phoenix dactylifera fruit; Photocatalytic activity
• ISSN: 0254-0584; 1879-3312
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matchemphys.2023.127397

This study has applied a simple sonication method to synthesize graphene oxide (GO) loaded cerium oxide (CeO2) nanocomposites from an aqueous extract of Phoenix dactylifera fruit. The green route was employed because it is eco-friendly and cost-effective. The synthesized nanocomposites were analyzed by various characterization tools such as XRD, UV–Vis. spectroscopy, TEM, FTIR, RAMAN, GC-MS, BET, and XPS to study their structural, morphological, and optical properties. The obtained nanoparticles were spherical, with average crystallite sizes between 6 and 12 nm. Owing to the presence of toxic agents and a high load of microbial agents in wastewater, the development of sustainable and environment-friendly technology for wastewater treatment is gaining importance. In this regard, the photodegradation efficiency of the biosynthesized GO/CeO2 nanocomposites was studied by the degradation of model dye, methyl orange (100 ppm), and the anti-biofilm activity of the nanocomposites was investigated against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria under visible light irradiation. The GO/CeO2 nanocomposite samples have shown enhanced removal of methyl orange dye compared to bare CeO2 nanoparticles. The experimental observation showed that the 30% GO-CeO2 is the optimized nanocomposite that achieved 93% photocatalytic degradation efficiency and maximum incubation, 82% of gram-negative and 60% of gram-positive, of bacteria. Thus, GO/CeO2 nanocomposites, owing to their enhanced photocatalytic proficiency and anti-biofilm activity, could be utilized for wastewater treatment. •Novel synthesis of GO/CeO2 nanocomposites using Phoenix dactylifera fruit extract.•Green synthesized GO/CeO2 nanocomposites for applications in allied areas of photocatalysis and antibiofilm activity.•30% GO/CeO2 nanocomposites show maximum (93%) removal of methyl orange dye.•Up to ∼82% inhibition against the gram-negative P. aeruginosa PAO1 biofilm development.