Facile synthesis of NiSe 2 -ZnO nanocomposites for enhanced photocatalysis and wastewater remediation.

In this study, NiSe ₂ nanocubes, ZnO rods, and their composites were prepared by simple chemical methods to investigate their photocatalytic response and antibacterial activity. The optimal concentration of NiSe ₂ nanocubes was explored for enhanced photocatalytic performance by varying its percentage in the NiSe ₂ -ZnO composites. The findings suggested that the optical response of ZnO was significantly improved and shifted towards visible region by incorporating NiSe ₂ as a co-catalyst. The photocatalytic properties of NiSe ₂ , ZnO, and NiSe ₂ -ZnO composites were assessed under visible light by using methylene blue (MB) as a model pollutant. The results showed that the optimized composite containing 75% NiSe ₂ with ZnO exhibited outstanding photocatalytic efficiency of 97%. The degradation of MB dye by NiSe ₂ , ZnO, and their composites followed the pseudo-first-order reaction kinetics (Langmuir-Hinshelwood model). Furthermore, the prepared NiSe ₂ -ZnO composite displayed exceptional reusability and stability over a number of cycles, demonstrating its practical applicability. This research presents unique findings, showcasing the comparative antibacterial performance of NiSe ₂ , ZnO, and NiSe ₂ -ZnO nanocomposites against Bacillus cereus ( B. cereus ). Of all the prepared photocatalysts, the 75% NiSe ₂ -ZnO nanocomposite revealed the best performance, exhibiting an inhibition zone of 28 mm.
Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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