Te4+ and Er3+ doped ZrO2 nanoparticles with enhanced photocatalytic, antibacterial activity and dielectric properties: A next generation of multifunctional material

Piyali Halder; Indrajit Mondal; Anwesha Mukherjee; Somen Biswas; Souvik Sau; Sucheta Mitra; Biplab Kumar Paul; Dheeraj Mondal; Brajadulal Chattopadhyay; Sukhen Das

doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120985

Te⁴⁺ and Er³⁺ doped ZrO₂ nanoparticles with enhanced photocatalytic, antibacterial activity and dielectric properties: A next generation of multifunctional material

J Environ Manage. 2024 Apr 26:359:120985. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120985. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physics, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, 700032, India.
² Department of Physics, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, 700032, India; Department of Physics, Bangabasi College, Kolkata, 700009, India.
³ University of Engineering and Management, Kolkata, 700160, India.
⁴ Department of Physics, Nabagram Hiralal Paul College, Hooghly, 712246, India.
⁵ Department of Physics, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, 700032, India. Electronic address: bdc_physics@yahoo.co.in.
⁶ Department of Physics, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, 700032, India. Electronic address: sdasphysics@gmail.com.

PMID: 38677226
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120985

Abstract

Amid rising water contamination from industrial sources, tackling toxic dyes and pathogens is critical. Photocatalysis offers a cost-effective and eco-friendly solution to this pressing challenges. Herein, we synthesized Te⁴⁺ and Er³⁺ doped ZrO₂ photocatalysts through hydrothermal method and investigated their efficacy in degrading Congo red (CR) and pathogens under visible light. XRD and Raman Spectroscopy confirm monoclinic and tetragonal mixed-phases without any impurities. Doping-induced defects, reduced crystalline diameter, high surface area, modified bandgap (2.95 eV), photoluminescence quenching, coupled with interfacial polarization, contribute to EZO's excellent dielectric response (1.149 × 10⁶), for achieving remarkable photocatalytic activity, verified by photoelectrochemical measurements, LC-MS and phytotoxicity analysis. Under optimal conditions, EZO achieves 99% CR degradation within 100 min (TOC 79.9%), surpassing ZO (77%) and TZO (84%). Catalyst dosages, dye concentrations, and solution pH effect on EZO's photocatalytic performance are systematically assessed. Scavenging experiment emphasized the pivotal role of · OH in CR degradation with 96.4% efficiency after 4 cycles, affirming its remarkable stability. Moreover, EZO demonstrates ROS-mediated antibacterial activity against E. faecalis and E. coli bacteria under visible light, achieving >97% and >94% inhibition rate with an inhibition zone > 3 mm. Hence, the nanoparticle's dual action offers a practical solution for treating contaminated wastewater, ensuring safe irrigation.

Keywords: CR degradation; Dielectric properties; Photo-antibacterial activity; Photocatalytic activity; Pure and doped ZrO(2).