Unraveling the synergistic effects in ZnO-MoS2 nanocomposite leading to enhanced photocatalytic, antibacterial and dielectric characteristics

Abstract

The primary focus of the work is to study the structural, optical, dielectric and antibacterial properties of ZnO-MoS2 nanocomposite synthesized wet-chemically. X-ray diffraction (XRD) examination confirmed the development of ZnO-MoS2 nanocomposite, revealing characteristic diffraction peaks corresponding to both ZnO and MoS2 phases. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigation showed a well-dispersed distribution of ZnO and MoS2 nanoparticles, and energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDAX) confirmed the elemental (Zn, O, Mo, S) existence in ZnO-MoS2. The chemical composition and electronic states were confirmed using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Dielectric experiments illustrate a decrease in the dielectric constant value with a lower loss tangent with increasing frequency. The addition of MoS2 to the ZnO matrix had a substantial impact on the dielectric characteristics of ZnO-MoS2, resulting in an increase in the dielectric constant and a decrease in the dielectric loss. AC conductivity increases with frequency, and these findings indicate that ZnO-MoS2 nanocomposites may find potential applications in electrical and optoelectronic devices. The photocatalytic performance was tested by degrading model dyes (methylene blue and Congo red) under UV–Vis light. The synergistic interactions between ZnO and MoS2 give the nanocomposite better photocatalytic properties than pure ZnO and MoS2. The heterojunction interface promotes charge separation and reactive oxygen species generation, improving photocatalytic efficiency. The antibacterial capability was also tested by diffusion method, and nanocomposites were found to outperform pristine samples in inhibiting bacterial growth.

Keywords

• ZnO-MoS2 nanocomposite
• Energy storage
• Dielectric properties
• Photodegradation
• Antibacterial efficiency