Silver vanadate nanoparticles: Green synthesis, enhanced photocatalytic and antibacterial activity

Abstract

Nanotechnology provides a very good chance to research and develop multipurpose nanomaterials because of their smaller size, larger surface area, low cost, and nanoscale materials, which are auspicious tools for many biological applications. The AgVO3 nanoparticle synthesis employing plant extract has offered an eco-friendly alternative for the industry. Literature survey shows that no research has been performed on AgVO3 using jackfruit; hence, we prepared AgVO3 using jackfruit extract as a reducing agent by a simple, easy, and eco-friendly precipitation method. The characterization techniques used for synthesized AgVO3 nanoparticles were x-ray diffraction analysis, which determines the monoclinic structure of synthesized AgVO3 nanoparticles; Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, which shows the bonding of V–O–V; and scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectra (EDS), which confirm the size, shape, purity, and elemental composition. Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis confirms the pore size, pore volume, and surface area of synthesized AgVO3 nanoparticles, Raman studies show the crystalline property, and UV–Vis studies give information about the material’s formation and optical properties. The bandgap was calculated to be 2.54 eV. Furthermore, the photocatalytic studies show 98.14% degradation in 180 min using MB dye. We also performed scavenger studies for detection of OH· radicals and recyclability. Gram-negative (Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis) micro-organisms were used to determine the antimicrobial characteristics. The full analysis verifies AgVO3’s antibacterial activity against both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, as well as its excellent photocatalytic activities for the degradation of the organic dye methylene blue with a high degree of recyclability.