Structure and ion transport in an ethylene carbonate-modified biodegradable gel polymer electrolyte

The influence of ethylene carbonate (EC) addition on 85poly(ε-caprolactone):15Lithium thiocyanate (85PCL:15LiSCN) polymer electrolyte is investigated using X-ray diffraction, impedance spectroscopy, Wagner's polarization and electrochemical measurements. The results reveal that the amorphicity of the 85PCL:15LiSCN system increases with increase of EC content up to an optimal level of 40 wt.%. This is reflected in the electrical properties of the gel polymer electrolytes, i.e., the 40 wt.% EC-incorporated gel polymer electrolyte exhibits both high amorphicity and high electrical conductivity as compared to the other samples. The EC concentration dependences of dielectric constant and electrical conductivity show a similar trend, indicating that these properties are closely related to each other. The total ionic transference numbers of EC-incorporated gel polymer electrolytes are in the range 0.989–0.993, demonstrating that they are almost completely ionic conductors. The electrochemical stability window of the 40 wt.% EC-incorporated gel polymer electrolyte is ∼4.1 V along with the electrical conductivity of 2.2 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹, which is significantly improved as compared to the 85PCL:15LiSCN system (3.0 V and 1.04 × 10⁻⁶ S cm⁻¹). Consequently, the addition of EC in the 85PCL:15LiSCN polymer electrolyte leads to a promising improvement in its various properties.     

Studies on ionics conduction properties of modification CMC-PVA based polymer blend electrolytes via impedance approach

In this study, the modification of cellulose derivative namely carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) blended with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and doped with different content of NH₄Br based solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) prepared via solution casting method is investigated. The FTIR analysis demonstrated the interaction between CMC-PVA and NH₄Br via COO⁻. The optimum ionic conductivity at ambient temperature is found to be 3.21 × 10⁻⁴ S/cm for the sample containing 20 wt% NH₄Br with the lowest percentage of crystallinity and total weight loss. The conductivity-temperature relationship for the entire SPEs system obeys Arrhenius behaviour. Besides that, based on the Nyquist fitting analysis, it is shown that the ionic conductivity of the SPEs is primarily influenced by the ionic mobility as well as the ions diffusion coefficient. The H⁺ transference number obtained using non-blocking reversible electrode is 0.31, which further indicates that the conduction species is predominantly due to the cationic conduction.     

Effect of EMIMBF4 ionic liquid addition on the structure and ionic conductivity of LiBF4-complexed PVdF-HFP polymer electrolyte films

New polymer electrolyte films of lithium tetrafluoroborate (LiBF₄)-complexed poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVdF-HFP) embedded with different quantities of 1-ethyl-3methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (EMIMBF₄) ionic liquid were prepared by solution casting. The prepared films were characterized using various techniques: X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, impedance spectroscopy and electrochemical measurements. The pure PVdF-HFP possessed a semi-crystalline structure and its amorphicity increased with the addition of LiBF₄ salt and EMIMBF₄ ionic liquid. The size and interconnection of pores in the films were enhanced by EMIMBF₄. Impedance measurements indicated that the room-temperature ionic conductivity of the films increased with increasing EMIMBF₄ concentration until 15 wt.%, being up to 0.202 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹, and then decreased with further increasing EMIMBF₄ concentration. In addition, the temperature-dependent ionic conductivity of the polymer electrolyte films followed an Arrhenius relation and the 15 wt.% EMIMBF₄-incorporated gel polymer electrolyte film exhibited a low activation energy for ionic conduction, being about 0.28 eV. Finally, the electrochemical stability window of the 85PVdF-HFP:15LiBF₄+15 EMIMBF₄ gel polymer electrolyte films was evaluated as approximately 4.4 V, which is a promising value for ion battery applications.     

Modification in structural,optical, morphological,and electrical properties of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) by metal (Ni,Co) dopants for electronic device applications

In the present work, Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by the chemical co-precipitation method using Zinc Chloride as the initial chemical, while Nickel and Cobalt chloride as dopants. Phase identification of metal (Ni, Co) doped Zinc Oxide nanoparticles (NPs) was observed using x-ray diffraction (XRD). The small lattice distortion or phase changes appeared due to shifting of diffraction angles peaks towards larger angle in ZnO are corresponded to metal (Ni, Co) dopant. The average crystallite size appears to decrement in NP size from 7.67 nm to 6.52 nm and 5.35 nm to 5.17 nm with increasing 5 % to 80 % of metal (Ni, Co) dopant respectively. The optical characteristics, including the absorption spectra of the prepared sample were observed through UV–Vis spectroscopy, Meanwhile SEM confirmed the observation of composition change in specimen with metal (Ni, Co) dopant concentration. The bandgap value was also found decrement 5.23 eV to 5.05 eV with increment of metal (Ni, Co) dopant concentration. The functional groups were measured by Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). FTIR peaks found the metal (Ni, Co) doped ZnO with the vibration mode of (Zn²⁺ –O^2?) ions due to the increment of dopant concentrations. Furthermore, electrical results show the ohmic behavior of prepared samples. These findings indicate the possibility of tuning optical, structural and electrical properties of metal (Ni, Co) doped ZnO with various dopant concentrations of Nickel and will have great potential to find application in optoelectronic devices.     

Conductivity,thermal and morphology studies of PEO based salted polymer electrolytes

Polymer electrolyte has been prepared via solution-casting technique. The polymer electrolytes are formed from polyethylene oxide (PEO) and lithium hexafluorate is used as the doping salt. The conductivity increases from 10⁻⁹ to 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ upon the addition of various concentrations of salt. The results reveal that the conductivity increases with increasing temperature when the salt concentration increases up to 20 wt% The conductivity for 20 wt% of salt remains similar to the conductivity for 15 wt% of salt at 318 K. Differential scanning calorimetry studies show that the melting transition temperature and crystallinity decreases upon the addition of various concentrations of salt. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results indicate that a significant effect on the thermal stability of polyethylene–lithium salt composites. SEM images reveal that the morphology of polymer electrolyte's surface changes when various concentrations of salt are added into the polymer system.     

Effect of polyaniline (PANI) on Poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexaflouro propylene) (PVDF-co-HFP) polymer electrolyte membrane prepared by breath figure method

Poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexaflouro propylene) is a well-known material for polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) due to its low cost, high mechanical integrity and excellent chemical resistance; however, its pure form has limited characteristics that require further modification to achieve optimum results. Therefore, the different dosages of polyaniline (PANI) (10 wt%, 20 wt%, 30 wt%, 40 wt% and 50 wt%) were incorporated into PVDF-HFP blend to fabricate PVDF-HFP/PANI polymer electrolyte membrane by using breath-figure method. The FTIR peaks of PVDF-HFP and PVDF-HFP/PANI membrane confirms the successful incorporation of PANI into PVDF-HFP blend, while TGA, DSC and XRD analysis shows the PANI effect on stability and ionic conductivity of PVDF-HFP membrane. The PVDF-HFP/PANI membrane with 30 wt% PANI found superior with the highest porosity of 83%, electrolyte uptake of 270% and ionic conductivity of 1.96 mS cm⁻¹; however, the other concentrations of PANI were also effective and enhanced the performance of PVDF-HFP membrane. This shows the improved performances of PVDF-HFP membrane were attributed to successful incorporation of PANI and the proposed membrane can be a suitable alternative PEM or a separator for energy devices.     

Investigations on electrical properties of PVP:KIO4 polymer electrolyte films

Solid polymer electrolytes based on poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) complexed with potassium periodide (KIO₄) salt at different weight percent ratios were prepared using solution-cast technique. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results revealed that the amorphous nature of PVP polymer matrix increased with the increase of KIO₄ salt concentration. The complexation of the salt with the polymer was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy studies. The ionic conductivity was found to increase with the increase of temperature as well as dopant concentration. The maximum ionic conductivity (1.421 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹) was obtained for 15 wt% KIO₄ doped polymer electrolyte at room temperature. The variation of ac conductivity with frequency obeyed Jonscher power law. The dynamical aspects of electrical transport process in the electrolyte were analyzed using complex electrical modulus. The peaks found in the electric modulus plots have been characterized in terms of the stretched exponential parameter. Optical absorption studies were performed in the wavelength range 200–600 nm and the absorption band energies (direct band gap and indirect band gap) values were evaluated. Using these polymer electrolyte films electrochemical cells were fabricated and their discharge characteristics were studied.     

Enhanced β‐phase in PVDF polymer nanocomposite and its application for nanogenerator

Harvesting energy from the ambient mechanical energy by using flexible piezoelectric nanogenerator is a revolutionary step toward achieving reliable and green energy source. Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), a flexible polymer, can be a potential candidate for the nanogenerator if its piezoelectric property can be enhanced. In the present work, we have shown that the polar crystalline β‐phase of PVDF, which is responsible for the piezoelectric property, can be enhanced from 48.2% to 76.1% just by adding ZnO nanorods into the PVDF matrix without any mechanical or electrical treatment. A systematic investigation of PVDF‐ZnO nanocomposite films by using X‐ray diffractometer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and polarization‐electric field loop measurements supports the enhancement of β‐phase in the flexible nanocomposite polymer films. The piezoelectric constant (d₃₃) of the PVDF‐ZnO (15 wt%) film is found to be maximum of approximately −1.17 pC/N. Nanogenerators have been fabricated by using these nanocomposite films, and the piezoresponse of PVDF is found to enhance after ZnO loading. A maximum open‐circuit voltage ~1.81 V and short‐circuit current of 0.57 μA are obtained for 15 wt% ZnO‐loaded PVDF nanocomposite film. The maximum instantaneous output power density is obtained as 0.21 μW/cm² with the load resistance of 7 MΩ, which makes it feasible for the use of energy harvesting that can be integrated to use for driving small‐scale electronic devices. This enhanced piezoresponse of the PVDF‐ZnO nanocomposite film‐based nanogenerators attributed to the enhancement of electroactive β‐phase and enhanced d₃₃ value in PVDF with the addition of ZnO nanorods.     

Enhanced zinc ion transport in gel polymer electrolyte: effect of nano-sized ZnO dispersion

The effect of the dispersion of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles in the zinc ion conducting gel polymer electrolyte is studied. Changes in the morphology/structure of the gel polymer electrolyte with the introduction of ZnO particles are distinctly observed using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The nanocomposites offer ionic conductivity values of >10^?3 S cm^?1 with good thermal and electrochemical stabilities. The variation of ionic conductivity with temperature follows the Vogel–Tamman–Fulcher behavior. AC impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and transport number measurements have confirmed Zn²⁺ ion conduction in the gel nanocomposites. An electrochemical stability window from ?2.25 to 2.25 V was obtained from voltammetric studies of nanocomposite films. The cationic (i.e., Zn²⁺ ion) transport number (t ₊) has been found to be significantly enhanced up to a maximum of 0.55 for the dispersion of 10 wt.% ZnO nanoparticles, indicating substantial enhancement in Zn²⁺ ion conductivity. The gel polymer electrolyte nanocomposite films with enhanced Zn²⁺ ion conductivity are useful as separators and electrolytes in Zn rechargeable batteries and other electrochemical applications.     

Green synthesis and characterization of Fe doped ZnO nanoparticles and their interaction with bovine serum albumin

Herein we report an eco-friendly and cost efficient synthesis of Fe doped ZnO (TPFZO) nanoparticles using the extract of Thespesia polpulanea flowers as a stabilizing agent. The synthesized NPs have been characterized by XRD, FT-IR, UV-DRS, SEM, EDAX and TEM studies. The synthesized NPs were found to have the crystallite size in the range of 30–60 ​nm. The calculated band gap energies for ZO and TPFZO nanoparticles were 3.00 ​eV and 1.97 ​eV respectively. The size distribution of the ZO and TPFZO obtained from TEM were observed to be lying in the range 50–120 ​nm and 4–22 ​nm respectively. The interaction of TPFZO NPs with bovine serum albumin (BSA) has been studied using fluorescence and absorption titration methods. The results indicated that the nanoparticles quenched the BSA fluorescence at 340 ​nm via static quenching mode having a bimolecular quenching rate constant value of 6.21 ​× ​10¹³ Lmol⁻¹s⁻¹.     

Assessment of corrosion protection and performance of bio-based polyurethane acrylate incorporated with nano zinc oxide coating

In this study, a series of UV-curable anticorrosive PUA coatings embedded with varying concentrations of inorganic ZnO fillers have been successfully prepared from jatropha-based polyol. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and Tafel polarisation analysis revealed that increasing fillers composition lead to the improvement of the anticorrosive property of the hybrid coatings. Meanwhile, the salt spray test results were found to correlate with the EIS of C_c (F cm⁻²) was 2.71 × 10⁻⁹, Bode plot - 10⁶ Ω cm² and Tafel polarisation results 7.56 × 10⁻⁶ MPY at 3 wt% of ZnO. Physical properties of 3 wt% loading of ZnO fillers in hardness test obtained 6H which was strongly attributed to the low interfacial interaction and poor dispersion of the fillers within the polymer matrix.     

A lotus root-like porous nanocomposite polymer electrolyte

A lotus root-like porous nanocomposite polymer electrolyte (NCPE) based on poly(vinylidene difluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) [P(VDF-HFP)] copolymer and TiO₂ nanoparticles was easily prepared by a non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) process. The formation mechanism of the lotus root-like porous structure is explained by a qualitative ternary phase diagram. The resulting NCPE had a high ionic conductivity up to 1.21 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ at room temperature, and exhibited a high electrochemical stability potential of 5.52 V (vs. Li/Li⁺), lithium ion transference number of 0.65 and 22.89 kJ mol⁻¹ for the apparent activation energy for transportation of ions. It is of great potential application in polymer lithium ion batteries.     

Significantly enhanced electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness of montmorillonite nanoclay and copper oxide nanoparticles based polyvinylchloride nanocomposites

In the present study, montmorillonite (MMT) nanoclay and copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles (NPs) reinforced polyvinylchloride (PVC) based flexible nanocomposite films were prepared via solvent casting technique. Using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), the structural, morphological and thermal properties of PVC/MMT/CuO nanocomposite films with various loadings of CuO NPs and MMT were investigated. These studies suggested that by the addition of dual nanofillers in the polymer matrix some structural modifications occurred owing to the homogenous dispersion of MMT and CuO NPs within the PVC matrix. The TGA results reveal that the addition of CuO NPs and MMT considerably improved the thermal stability of the nanocomposites. The EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) of nanocomposites was examined in the X-band (8–12 GHz) and Ku-band (12–18 GHz) frequency regions. The EMI SE values were found to be −30 dB (X-band) and −35 dB (Ku-band) for nanocomposites containing 0.3 wt% of CuO NPs and 4.7 wt% of MMT respectively while the shielding was found to be absorption dominant. These results emphasize that PVC/MMT/CuO nanocomposite films can be used as a potential EMI shielding material.     

In-situ fabrication of barium titanate@polyvinyl pyrrolidone in polyvinylidene fluoride polymer nanocomposites for dielectric capacitor applications

We have demonstrated an in situ route to design barium titanate (BT)@polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) nanoparticles (NPs) in PVP/polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) blends. Thus, the PVP simultaneously acted as a linker and a part of the polymer matrix. We have hydrothermally synthesized the tetragonal phase of BT NPs (~150 nm). The BT NPs content was varied from 0 to 15 vol%. The resulting polymer nanocomposites generated enormous interfaces because of homogeneously dispersed BT@PVP NPs. Furthermore, the PVP simultaneously tailored the interfacial properties surrounding the BT NPs and bulk of the polymer matrix. Therefore, we achieved an enhanced maximum polarization (P_max) and energy density (U_d) of 27.9 μC cm⁻² and 13.4 J cm⁻³ (2261 kV cm⁻¹), respectively, at 7.5 vol% BT NPs loadings. At the same time, PVP/PVDF blends showed P_max and U_d of only 3.9 μC cm⁻² and 4.6 J cm⁻³ (3369 kV cm⁻¹), respectively. This simple approach of in situ nanomaterials modification will lead to development of low-cost and time-efficient dielectric capacitors.     

Fabrication of zinc/silver binary nanoparticles,their enhanced microbial and adsorbing properties

Monometallic ZnO nanoparticles were prepared by hydrolysis of zinc acetate with ammonium hydroxide solution. Bimetallic zinc-silver nanoparticles (ZnO-AgNPs) were prepared using metal displacement galvanic cell reaction in presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). The optical and photo-physical properties of both NPs were determined. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) intensity of ZnO-AgNPs depends on the ratio of metal salt precursors and other experimental conditions. The optical band gap (2.98 eV), agglomeration number (26819.92), and molar concentration (1.14 × 10⁻⁴ mol/liter) of ZnO-AgNPs were determined. Langmuir adsorption monolayer, Freundlich, intraparticles diffusion and multilayer adsorption isotherms used for the determination of maximum adsorption efficiency and adsorption isotherm parameters to the removal of safranin dye from an aqueous solution. The kinetics of safranin removal has also been discussed with pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, intraparticle diffusion and multilayer kinetic models. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of ZnO, Ag and ZnO-AgNPs were determined against human pathogens using growth kinetic and disk diffusion methods. The concentrations of ZnO-AgNPs have significant effect on the bacterial growth kinetics. The death rate constants increase with increasing the NPs concentrations. It has been found that the ZnO-AgNPs hold higher microbial activities than that of monometallic counterpart, ZnO and AgNPs. Mechanism of bacterial growth and death was discussed.     

Influence of barium titanate nanofiller on PEO/PVdF-HFP blend-based polymer electrolyte membrane for Li-battery applications

Organic-inorganic hybrid membranes based on poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) 6.25 wt%/poly(vinylidene fluoride hexa fluoro propylene) [P(VdF-HFP)] 18.75 wt% were prepared by using various concentration of nanosized barium titanate (BaTiO₃) filler. Structural characterizations were made by X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, which indicate the inclusion of BaTiO₃ in to the polymer matrix. Addition of filler creates an effective route of polymer-filler interface and promotes the ionic conductivity of the membranes. From the ionic conductivity results, 6 wt% of BaTiO₃-incorporated composite polymer electrolyte (CPE) showed the highest ionic conductivity (6 × 10^?3 Scm^?1 at room temperature). It is found that the filler content above 6 wt% rendered the membranes less conducting. Morphological images reveal that the ceramic filler was embedded over the membrane. Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA) of the CPE sample with 6 wt% of the BaTiO₃ shows high thermal stability. Electrochemical performance of the composite polymer electrolyte was studied in LiFePO₄/CPE/Li coin cell. Charge-discharge cycle has been performed for the film exhibiting higher conductivity. These properties of the nanocomposite electrolyte are suitable for Li-batteries.     

Effect of nanoscale CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript> on PVDF-HFP-based nanocomposite porous polymer electrolytes for Li-ion batteries

New poly (vinylidenefluoride-co-hexafluoro propylene) (PVDF-HFP)/CeO₂-based microcomposite porous polymer membranes (MCPPM) and nanocomposite porous polymer membranes (NCPPM) were prepared by phase inversion technique using N-methyl 2-pyrrolidone (NMP) as a solvent and deionized water as a nonsolvent. Phase inversion occurred on the MCPPM/NCPPM when it is treated by deionized water (nonsolvent). Microcomposite porous polymer electrolytes (MCPPE) and nanocomposite porous polymer electrolytes (NCPPE) were obtained from their composite porous polymer membranes when immersed in 1.0 M LiClO₄ in a mixture of ethylene carbonate/dimethyl carbonate (EC/DMC) (v/v = 1:1) electrolyte solution. The structure and porous morphology of both composite porous polymer membranes was examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis. Thermal behavior of both MCPPM/NCPPM was investigated from DSC analysis. Optimized filler (8 wt% CeO₂) added to the NCPPM increases the porosity (72%) than MCPPM (59%). The results showed that the NCPPE has high electrolyte solution uptake (150%) and maximum ionic conductivity value of 2.47 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ at room temperature. The NCPPE (8 wt% CeO₂) between the lithium metal electrodes were found to have low interfacial resistance (760 Ω cm²) and wide electrochemical stability up to 4.7 V (vs Li/Li⁺) investigated by impedance spectra and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), respectively. A prototype battery, which consists of NCPPE between the graphite anode and LiCoO₂ cathode, proves good cycling performance at a discharge rate of C/2 for Li-ion polymer batteries.     

EC modified PEO/PVDF-LLZO composite electrolytes for solid state lithium metal batteries

The polymer-ceramic composite electrolytes have great application potential for next-generation solid state lithium batteries, as they have the merits to eliminate the problem of liquid organic electrolytes and enhancing chemical/electrochemical stability. However, polymer-ceramic composite electrolytes show poor ionic conductivity, which greatly hinders their practical applications. In this work, the addition of plasticizer ethylene carbonate (EC) into polymer-ceramic composite electrolyte for lithium batteries effectively promotes the ionic conductivity. A high ionic conductivity can be attained by adding 40 wt% EC to the polyethylene oxide (PEO)/polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-Li₇La₃Zr₂O₁₂ (LLZO) based polymer-ceramic composite electrolytes, which is 2.64 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ (tested at room temperature). Furthermore, the cell assembled with lithium metal anode, this composite electrolyte, and LiFePO₄ cathode can work more than 80 cycles at room temperature (tested at 0.2 C). The battery delivers a high reversible specific capacity after 89 cycles, which is 119 mAh g⁻¹.     

Intercalated hybrid of kaolinite with KH2PO4 showing high ionic conductivity (∼10−4 S cm−1) at room temperature

In this paper, we present the study of preparation and ionic conductance for an intercalated hybrid of kaolinite with potassium dihydrogen. The intercalation efficiency is high up to ca. 90%. The intercalated hybrid has been characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The ionic conductivity (σ) of the hybrid material is strongly dependent on the moisture in the environment, with σ = 8.4 × 10⁻¹⁰ S cm⁻¹ at 293 K and gradually increases to 7.16 × 10⁻⁹ S cm⁻¹ under N₂ atmosphere (anhydrous environment) at 353 K as well as an activation energy of E_a = 0.618 e V, whereas σ = 2.19 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ at 100% relative humidity and 293 K with E_a = 0.44 eV. The mechanism that the moisture affects the ionic conductance of the intercalated hybrid is further discussed.     

Efficient photodegradation of methyl orange and bactericidal activity of Ag doped ZnO nanoparticles

In the present work, silver-doped ZnO (Ag–ZnO NPs) with different concentrations of silver ions (0.3, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mol %) were synthesized by using a simple co-precipitation method. The Ag–ZnO NPs were primarily characterized by XRD, FT-IR, SEM, EDS, TEM, UV–Vis. DRS, PL and BET surface area. The XRD analysis of Ag–ZnO NPs shows a wurtzite structure and optimized Ag–ZnO NPs (1.0 mol %) exhibit a lower crystallite size of 15.96 nm than that of bare ZnO (19.07 nm). Optical study shows a decrease in band gap from 3.13 to 2.97 eV as the concentration of Ag ions increases from 0.3 to 1.5 mol%. TEM images reveal the spherical shape particle with sizes ranging between 10 and 15 nm. From the multipoint BET plot, the surface area of Ag–ZnO NPs found 38.06 m²/gwhich is higher than the ZnO NPs (34.48 m²/g). The photocatalytic study demonstrated that the Ag–ZnO NPs (1.0 mol %) has an excellent photodegradation efficiency of Methyl Orange (96.74%)with a 26% increment as compared to bare ZnO (70.47%). Furthermore, the bactericidal activity of Ag–ZnO NPs (1.0 mol %) was investigated against four different bacterial strains. The results explored that the Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli and P. vulgaris) are more sensitive than Gram-positive (S. aureus and B. cereus) to Ag–ZnO NPs. Overall, the anticipated material is economical and reusable for photodegradation and antibacterial activity.