Synthesis of graphene nanoplatelets/polythiophene nanocomposites With Enhanced Photocatalytic Degradation of Bromophenol Blue and Antibacterial Properties. (October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Noreen, Hamsa; Iqbal, Javed; Hassan, Waseem; Rahman, Gul; Yaseen, Muhammad; Rahman, Ata Ur
• Is Part Of: Materials research bulletin. Volume 142(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-10
• Subjects: Graphene nanoplatelets-polythiophene nanocomposite -- Wastewater treatment -- Antibacterial properties -- Efficient charge separation; Materials -- Periodicals; Crystal growth -- Periodicals; Matériaux -- Périodiques; Cristaux -- Croissance -- Périodiques; Crystal growth; Materials; Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.materresbull.2021.111435
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-5408

Abstract

Highlights: PTh-GNPs composite was prepared and characterized for degradation and antimicrobial study. GNPs shortened the band gap and increased light absorption of PTh thus enhanced photocatalysis. PTh-GNPs(50) showed 94% degradation of bromophenol blue under direct solar illumination. PTh-GNPs(50) proved as a potent inhibitor against E.coli and S.aureus than pristine PTh. Abstract: Polythiophene (PTh) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) nanocomposites with different ratio of GNPs (10–50 wt.%) were prepared by oxidative chemical polymerization technique and applied for the photocatalytic degradation of bromo phenol blue (BPB) and pathogen control. The as-prepared nanomaterials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-Ray analysis (EDX), UV–Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The PTh-GNPs(50) achieved the highest photocatalytic degradation efficiency for BPB (94.1%) which was more than three times higher than that of the pristine PTh (31.3%). The enhanced photocatalytic activity of PTh-GNPs was attributed to the improved charge-transport and longer recombination time of e − /h + pairs from PTh NPs to GNPs. Interestingly, PTh-GNPs(50) proved as a potent inhibitor against E.coli and S.aureus reported 18 mm zone of inhibition as compared to that of the control PTh (showing 9 mm and 5 mm zones of inhibition for the two strains, respectively) at 2000 µg/mL. These results make PTh-GNPs(50) nanocomposites a potential candidate for BPB removal and bacterial growth inhibition. Graphical abstract: Image, graphical abstract