Effect of Ag/ZnO-Graphitic Carbon Nitride on Antimicrobial Activity under Visible Light

Zinc oxide-graphitic carbon nitride (ZnO/g-C3N4) composites were synthesized by precipitation method in order to improve photocatalytic activity under visible light. To enhance antimicrobial activity, silver was added into zinc oxide-graphitic carbon nitride (Ag/ZnO/g-C3N4). Ultrastructures of the composite were analyzed by X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Photocatalytic activity of the composites was carried out by degradation of methylene blue solution as a function of contact time. The results revealed that ZnO/g-C3N4 was capable of dye degradation at 96.65%. Addition of Ag into ZnO/g-C3N4 resulted in increase of dye reduction rate. For antibacterial test, Ag/ZnO/g-C3N4 exhibited bactericidal activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus cereus. For antifungal test, Ag/ZnO/g-C3N4 showed resistance to Aspergillusniger for 7 days. Ag/ZnO-g-C3N4 composite exhibited better photocatalytic and antimicrobial activities compare to ZnO and g-C3N4. These results indicate that precipitation method is a cheap, rapid and efficient method that can be used to synthesize Ag/ZnO-g-C3N4 composites. For further studies, applications of this Ag/ZnO-g-C3N4 composites in microbiological and agricultural fields will be carried out.