Electrochemical-sensor, antimicrobial and environmental assessments of Bi³⁺:Mg_(1−x)Zr_xO₄ NPs synthesised by bio-mediated combustion method

Abstract

The reported research elucidates on a facile Phyllanthus acidus green-assisted solution combustion process developed for the synthesis of Bi³⁺:Mg_(1−x)Zr_xO₄ nanoparticles (BMZ-NPs) and evaluation of their multifunctional applications. PXRD investigation shows the structural evidences and average-particle size (∼30-44) nm of prepared BMZ NPs. SEM-EDAX characterises the surface-morphology and chemical constituents of BMZ-NPs. The band gap energy (Eg) values of undoped and Bi doped MgZrO₄ NPs (0.01-0.05 mol%) were noted between 3.86 to 2.8 eV, investigated by UV-Visible spectral techniques. The electrochemical analysis of prepared samples revealed a good sensor activity towards paracetamol drug chemical detection under both acidic and basic electrolytic media. An excellent photo-degradation activity was noted for BMZ-NPs on AO-7 as model dye and shows 91.4% at 90 min under irradiation of UV Visible-light. Additionally, the antibacterial activity of BMZ NPs against gram + ve and gram -ve bacteria was examined in well diffusion agar technique. The obtained diameter of zone inhibition illustrates BMZ NPs hinders the growth of S. aureus bacteria (5.2 mm against antibiotic streptomycin of 2 mm) much more effectively than E. coli (5.2 mm against ampicillin of 7.7 mm). These results are confirms that the BMZ NPs is an potential candidate for catalytic, sensor and optoelectronic device applications.

Keywords:

• Bi³⁺:Mg₍₁₋x)ZrxO₄
• Phyllanthus acidus
• electrochemical sensor
• photocatalysis
• anti-bacterial activity

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Data availability

The data used to support the findings of this study are included within the article.