Biogenic mediated Fe3O4-Au Nanocomposite for Photodegradation and
Antimicrobial Activities on Pharmaceutical Pollutants
Abstract
we were designed heterogonous Fe3O4-Au nanocomposite with average size
of 27 nm that synthesized by Foeniculum vulgare seeds extract to
photodegrade methyl orange, imipenem and imatinib dye/drugs under
UV-visible light irradiation. Physicochemical properties of biogenic
nanocomposite were characterized by XRD, FTIR, UV-Vis, SEM, EDX and
X-ray elemental mapping. The complete degradations of methyl orange,
imipenem and imatinib are about 95% after 2100 s, 91% after 1200 s and
93% after 1500 s, respectively under UV light irradiation, whereas
under visible light irradiation are about 87% after 4200s and 88%
after 4800s for imipenem and imatinib, respectively. In addition,
antimicrobial activity was screened by biogenic Fe3O4-Au nanocomposite
vs. Estaphilu and Bacillus subtilis and E. coli. Remarkable zone of
inhibition was observed for Bacillus subtilis in 25mg/mL concentration
of nanocomposites. Photocatalysts that have antimicrobial properties in
addition to their unique photocatalytic properties have the potential of
being no longer polluting the environment.