Removal of malachite green and methylene blue by Fe0.01Ni0.01Zn0.98O/polyacrylamide nanocomposite using coupled adsorption and photocatalysis

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tThis study describes the removal of malachite green (MG) and methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solutionusing adsorption and photodegradation activity of Fe0.01Ni0.01Zn0.98O/polyacrylamide nanocomposite(FNZP/PAM). Fourier transform infra red spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning elec-tron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), high resolution transmission electron microscopy(HRTEM), small area electron diffraction (SAED) and UV–vis spectroscopy techniques were used for char-acterization of nanocomposite. The coupled photocatalysis and adsorption shown by FNZP/PAM resultedin fast and higher degradation of MB and MG as compared to dye removal by FNZP. The FNZP/PAM showsa higher rate of dyes removal due to excellent adsorbing properties of cross linked polyacrylamide (PAM).A remarkable 97.56% of MB and 96.13% of MG was achieved for FNZP/PAM by coupled adsorption andphotocatalysis after two hours. Thermo gravimetric analysis confirmed the higher thermal stability ofFNZP/PAM as compared to PAM. The nanocomposite proved to be a promising antimicrobial agent againstbacterial strains of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus