Photocatalytic observation of visible-light-driven Ag-doped ZnSe nanoparticles and their bio-effectiveness

Environmental pollution is the major concern of today's world and its elimination is being investigated via several physiochemical approaches. Implication of metal-based nanoparticles is one of the most affordable and ecofriendly ways to meet the water quality demands. The noble metal-doped nanoparticles have attained considerable importance for their specific altitude towards wastewater treatment. The current work reports the synthesis of Ag-doped ZnSe nanoparticles, studies of their photocatalytic dye degradation and antibacterial activity. The noble metal doping by ZnSe lattice is affirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The valencies of the silver, zinc and selenium have been determined by X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy (XPS). The bandgap values of the Ag-doped ZnSe nanoparticles indicated the mobility of photocarriers. 86% efficiency for photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange is achieved in 120 min under visible light irradiation. The silver ions extended the time of recombination process and produced the reactive oxygen species. The rate of antibacterial activities is also assessed against S. aureus and E. coli bacteria. The silver-doped zinc selenide NPs are found as the suitable material for the environmental remediation processes and biological activities.