Sonication-Assisted Synthesis, Characterization and Dual Functional Performance of Ag₂O And Pani–Ag₂O Nanocomposites

Abstract

PANI/Ag₂O nanocomposites with varying Ag₂O weight percentages were synthesized via in-situ chemical oxidative polymerization using ammonium persulfate (APS) in acidic medium at room temperature. Structural and optical characterizations were carried out using PXRD,  UV–Vis, and FTIR. Photocatalytic studies revealed that PANI/Ag₂O achieved the highest degradation efficiency (~70%) for methylene blue and Congo red dyes under visible light irradiation. The improved performance is attributed to the synergistic effect between PANI and Ag₂O, enhancing visible light absorption and suppressing electron–hole recombination. Additionally, the nanocomposites exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as pathogenic fungi  Streptococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Fungi Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus Flavus.