In-situ synthesis of hydroxyapatite-supported Ag3PO4 using cockle (Anadara granosa) shell as photocatalyst in rhodamine B photodegradation and antibacterial agent

Abstract

A nanocomposite of hydroxyapatite-supported Ag3PO4 (Ag3PO4/HA) was prepared by in-situ co-precipitation followed by hydrothermal method by utilizing cockle (Anadara granosa) shell as biogenic calcium source. The obtained nanocomposite was characterized by different instrumental analyses. X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses confirmed the formation of dispersed Ag3PO4 on HA structure with the particles size ranging at 10–40 nm. The material has band gap energy of 2.3 eV which support the activity as photocatalyst for rhodamine B degradation. The removal efficiency of 99.87% was expressed by the nanocomposite for 120 min of treatment, and reusability was demonstrated by insignificant change of the removal and kinetics constant for 5 cycles. The nanocomposite showed antibacterial activity against E. Coli, S. aureus, K. Pneumonia, and S. pyogenes.

Keywords

• Antibacterial
• Ag3PO4
• Hydroxyapatite
• Photocatalyst
• Photodegradation