Optimized MoS2/SnS2@AC nanocomposites for superior visible light-driven pollutant degradation and antibacterial activity

Developing highly active and sustainable photocatalysts is an urgent need in environmental remediation applications. Transition metal sulfides/carbon-based composites have garnered significant attention in catalytic and environmental applications due to the physical and electrical properties of heterojunctions. In this study, a molybdenum disulfide - tin disulfide/activated carbon (MSS@AC) nanocomposite was prepared using a facile hydrothermal technique followed by ultrasonication and a pyrolysis process. The nanocomposites were comprehensively characterized using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Ultraviolet-Visible Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (UV-DRS), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and High-resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM) to assess their structural, morphological, and optical characteristics. The photocatalytic activity of the synthesized catalysts was evaluated against Reactive Black 5 (RB5) under visible light irradiation. Among MSS, MSS@AC-20, and MSS@AC-60, the MSS@AC-40 nanocomposite exhibited the highest degradation efficiency, achieving 87.6 % of RB5 dye under visible light in 140 min, with a pseudo-first-order rate constant of 0.0136 min-1. Notably, the catalyst demonstrated excellent cyclic stability over five cycles. Moreover, the antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus), showed inhibition zones of 10 mm and 11 mm, respectively, at a concentration of 75 mu g/mL. These results underscore the dual functionality of MSS@AC-40 as an efficient photocatalyst and antibacterial agent. These findings highlight its promising potential for environmental remediation and wastewater treatment applications.