Photocatalytic and Antimicrobial Studies of Ag‐Doped ZnO–g‐C ₃ N ₄ –MnO ₂ Quaternary Heterostructure

Pollutants can pose significant risks to ecosystems and human health. Removing such a perilous pollutant is essential for maintaining a healthy environment. Taking this into consideration, a new Ag–ZnO–g‐C 3 N 4 –MnO 2 quaternary heterostructure was synthesized through the sol–gel approach. The structural, topological (morphological), surface area, optical, and electronic properties of the nanomaterials were characterized using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and ultraviolet‐visible (UV). The relatively higher bandgap energies of the parent ZnO were significantly reduced from 3.11 to 2.31 eV, upon the formation of the composite, indicating the successful modification of the ZnO surface and optical property. The photocatalytic effectiveness of the as‐prepared materials was also explored. A high parentage (99%) of MB was degraded by Ag–ZnO–g‐C 3 N 4 –MnO 2 composite compared with other pristine materials. This is owing to the incorporation of Ag, MnO 2 , and g‐C 3 N 4 into the ZnO matrix. Furthermore, the antimicrobial efficacy of the composite was evaluated against the Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli , demonstrating a superior inhibition zone (22.8 ± 0.36 at 80 g/mL) compared with others. The synergistic effects of the components enhanced charge separation, leading to improved photocatalytic and antimicrobial performance. Moreover, the stability of the composite was studied, demonstrating good photocatalytic stability.