Photocatalytic degradation effect of malachite green and catalytic hydrogenation by UV–illuminated CeO2/CdO multilayered nanoplatelet arrays: Investigation of antifungal and antimicrobial activities

CeO2/CdO multi-layered nanoplatelet arrays have been synthesized by sol–gel method at two different temperatures using Citrus limonum fruit extract and the effect of particle size on the photocatalytic performance is studied. The particle size and phases was analysed by X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD) which brought out the formation of cubic phase in the synthesized samples. Field Emission Scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) revealed the surface morphology and made up of cumulative form of platelet shaped arrays with an average size of 10 nm. The elemental composition and the purity of the nanomaterials were confirmed by Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). CeO2/CdO multilayered binary metal oxide nanoplatelet arrays were formed which was further explored with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), it reveals that the nanocomposites contain Ce[sbnd]O and Cd[sbnd]O bonds. Determination of the direct and indirect bandgap energy of the nanoplatelet arrays was carried out by UV–Vis-DRS studies. In MG degradation, both the hole (h+) and hydroxyl radical ([rad]OH) played a major role than the superoxide radical (O2[rad]−). Possible photo degradation mechanisms are proposed and discussed in this article. CeO2/CdO multi-layered nanoplatelet arrays showed antibacterial activity and among the tested ones, it showed better growth inhibition towards P. aeruginosa MTCC73. Thus, this greener synthetic procedure was a highly effective method due to low-cost, highly effective UV light responsive material for environmental safety.