Fabrication of Zr-doped SnO2 nanoparticles with synergistic influence for improved visible-light photocatalytic action and antibacterial performance

Zr-doped SnO2 (Zr:SnO2) nanostructures (NSs) were produced by simplistic and low-cost co-precipitation route. The FTIR spectra of bands on 523 and 583 cm(-1) were witnessed though indorsed as the features of (Sn-OH) term which approves the incident of Sn-O in the synthesized samples. The Zr:SnO2 NSs were spherical-like and composed of numerous agglomerated particles. The decreased crystallite sizes of the pristine and Zr-doped SnO2 NPs were 41.9, 38.9 and 35.8 nm individually. Moreover, the achievable growth manner of acquired samples was deliberated through the source of the customs of nucleation and crystal growth. The photocatalytic performances of 4% of Zr-doped SnO2 nanoparticles (NPs) were thoroughly explored in the photodegradation of methyl orange (MO) dye, thus revealing higher photocatalytic activity in the degradation of MO than pristine and 2% of Zr-doped SnO2 under via visible-light exposure. Related to pristine SnO2, the 4% Zr-doped SnO2 NPs are accessible to greater photocatalytic capability, which could be essentially accredited to existing in the nominal defects of oxygen vacancies by the produced NPs. Eventually, founded on the self-assembly progression the possible development of photocatalytic mechanism was projected by means of reactive species in trapping tests as well. Also, the antibacterial action was attained against E. coli and S. aureus bacteria through agar well diffusion system.