Abstract
Herein, we report an Ag2Ox (3 wt%)-loaded ZnFe2O4 photocatalysts synthesized by co-precipitation and incipient wet impregnation approach for acetamiprid degradation, antibacterial, antioxidant, and toxicity assay. Initially, bare ZnFe2O4 nanostructures were made through a simple co-precipitation method. In the second step, 3 wt% of various transition metal oxides (CuOx, ZrOx, and Ag2Ox) were embedded on the surface of ZnFe2O4 photo -catalysts via a wet impregnation method. Further, the prepared photocatalysts were systematically characterized using XRD, FTIR, FE-SEM, BET, HRTEM, and XPS analysis. The optimum Ag2Ox (3 wt%)-loaded ZnFe2O4 photocatalysts revealed higher degradation efficiencies for acetamiprid under sunlight irradiation. Additionally, the Ag2Ox (3 wt%)-loaded ZnFe2O4 photocatalysts showed more effective antioxidant and antibacterial activity than blank and bare ZnFe2O4 nanomaterials. The enriched catalytic efficiency can be accredited to the 3 wt% of Ag2Ox NPs loaded on ZnFe2O4 nanomaterials, possibly due to the boosted transport properties of the electron -hole pairs. This study will provide a new avenue for the development of simple and effective photocatalysts for efficiently saving polluted aquatic ecosystems.