Hydrothermal synthesis of Pd doped rGO/ZnO nanocomposite for effective CBR dye degradation and antibacterial activities

A palladium (Pd)-doped rGO/ZnO nanocomposite was prepared using the hydrothermal method. The nanocomposite underwent various analytical assessments to determine its structural, optical, and morphological properties. The analytical results confirmed the successful formation of the Pd-doped rGO/ZnO composite. This composite, referred to as Pd-rGO/ZnO, was employed for the photocatalytic degradation of Coomassie Brilliant Blue R-250 (CBR) dye. The prepared photocatalyst, Pd-rGO/ZnO, exhibited a remarkable 93% efficiency in degrading CBR dye within 150 min under UV light. The enhanced photocatalytic and antibacterial activities were achieved by modifying rGO and introducing Pd, which effectively increased the reactive surface area and facilitated electron transfer. Moreover, the composite also displayed significant antibacterial activity in a dose-dependent manner.