Dual functionality of an Ag-Fe3O4-carbon nanotube composite material: Catalytic reduction and antibacterial activity. Issue 4 (August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bhaduri, Bhaskar; Engel, Maya; Polubesova, Tamara; Wu, Wenhao; Xing, Baoshan; Chefetz, Benny
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental chemical engineering. Volume 6:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 4103
• Page End: 4113
• Publication Date: 2018-08
• Subjects: Silver -- Characterization -- Catalysis -- Disinfection -- Microorganism -- Pollutant; Chemical engineering -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental engineering -- Periodicals; Chemical engineering -- Environmental aspects; Environmental engineering; Periodicals; 660.0286
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2018.06.023
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2213-2929

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Ag-Fe3 O4 -SWCNT composite was synthesized by the wet-impregnation method. The composite demonstrated dual catalytic and antibacterial activity. The composite's catalytic activity was unaffected by dissolved organic matter. The material can be regenerated owing to its magnetic properties. Abstract: Carbon-based nanomaterials have remarkable chemical and biological features. The introduction of supporting magnetic materials onto carbon-based nanoparticles has gained interest owing to their easy separation from heterogeneous systems. Herein, we report the synthesis of a novel composite comprised of single-walled carbon nanotubes, Fe3 O4 and Ag nanoparticles with an aim to develop a bifunctional composite for water purification that maintains both high catalytic and antibacterial activities. The composite facilitated decomposition of nitrophenols and methyl orange in the presence of NaBH4 as the reducing agent – maintaining high activity (>90%) following three regeneration cycles. The composite's catalytic activity was unaffected by the presence of dissolved organic matter (DOM) at an environmentally relevant concentration of 5 mg C L −1 . DOM concentration of 50 mg C L −1 slightly decreased the reduction of p -nitrophenol, 2-methyl- p -nitrophenol, and methyl orange (by ∼14%, ∼11%, and ∼10% respectively) but significantly decreased that of o -nitrophenol (by 38%). The composite exhibited high antibacterial activity towards gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria even in the presence of DOM at an environmentally relevant concentration. However, the composite's efficiency decreased with increase in DOM concentration. This study demonstrates dual catalytic and antibacterial activity of a novel Ag-Fe3 O4 -single walled carbon nanotube composite material in the absence and presence of DOM, and considers its potential implementation in water/wastewater treatment applications.