Green synthesis of silver-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles for investigation of their photocatalytic activity and shelf life applications

With increase in population and urbanization, some issues have become alarming which include the water pollution and fresh food due to poor mechanism of storage. In this work, a facile green synthesis process for silver-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles via Vitis vinifera leaf extract as stabilizing and reducing agent explored as less hazardous has been used for useful applications. XRD pattern explored the crystal structure, cubic silver, and hexagonal ZnO with diffraction peaks. The optimal sample Ag-ZnO (1.5%) showed an average size of 22.5 nm. Different techniques, SEM, EDX, FTIR, PL, and UV-visible spectroscopy confirmed the successful biosynthesis of the silver-doped nanoparticles with various doping concentrations (i.e., 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, and 2%). Examination of photocatalytic potential of these novel nanoparticles in the removal of methylene blue under sunlight irradiations unconcealed its powerful photodegradation enhancement that reached 97%. Rate constants k = 0.00723, 0.01192, 0.01301, 0.01434, and 0.01370 min(-1) have been perceived for the disintegration of MB using pure ZnO and Ag-doped ZnO (0.5 to 2%) respectively. The reusability of silver-doped ZnO (1.5%) was noticeable as it approaches 77% after eight cycles of regeneration. Ag-doped ZnO (1.5%) nanoparticles checked for pathogenic bacteria (E. coli and Staphlyococcus aureus) and fungal strains (Fusarium spp. and Rosellinia nscatrix) to examine antimicrobial activity. Experiment results show that Ag-doped ZnO nanoparticles boost up the shelf life as compare to the control center which attribute to the fact that such nanoparticle worked well against antifungal and antimicrobial aspect. The band gap calculation 3.36 eV and rate constant k= 0.0745 min(-1) is also calculated by COMSOL simulation for ZnO which nearly matches with experimental results gives confirmation about the purity and structure of synthesized nanomaterial. The present study will have revolutionary influence for elimination of water pollution and cater the food consumption quite efficiently which are awfully need of time.