Photocatalytic and antibacterial activity of PVA mediated zinc-copper ferrite composites

The optical properties of nano zinc-copper ferrite (ZnFe2O4/CuFe2O4) composites synthesized with a cubic phase of zinc ferrite and tetragonal phase of copper ferrite was analyzed. The composites had narrow bandgap energy of nearly 1.7 eV. They also possessed intrinsic defects that enhanced their photocatalytic efficiency. The samples had better photocatalytic efficiency in degrading methylene blue under sunlight when compared to halogen lamp. The rate constants of the samples in degrading methylene blue ranged from 0.0027 min(-1) to 0.006 min(-1). The samples also exhibited good antibacterial properties. They were capable of inhibiting the bacteria Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus to a diameter greater than 20 mm. Copyright (c) 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the Functional Materials for Energy, Environment and Biomedical Applications.