Facile synthesis of NiSe 2 -ZnO nanocomposites for enhanced photocatalysis and wastewater remediation.

In this study, NiSe 2 nanocubes, ZnO rods, and their composites were prepared by simple chemical methods to investigate their photocatalytic response and antibacterial activity. The optimal concentration of NiSe 2 nanocubes was explored for enhanced photocatalytic performance by varying its percentage in the NiSe 2 -ZnO composites. The findings suggested that the optical response of ZnO was significantly improved and shifted towards visible region by incorporating NiSe 2 as a co-catalyst. The photocatalytic properties of NiSe 2 , ZnO, and NiSe 2 -ZnO composites were assessed under visible light by using methylene blue (MB) as a model pollutant. The results showed that the optimized composite containing 75% NiSe 2 with ZnO exhibited outstanding photocatalytic efficiency of 97%. The degradation of MB dye by NiSe 2 , ZnO, and their composites followed the pseudo-first-order reaction kinetics (Langmuir-Hinshelwood model). Furthermore, the prepared NiSe 2 -ZnO composite displayed exceptional reusability and stability over a number of cycles, demonstrating its practical applicability. This research presents unique findings, showcasing the comparative antibacterial performance of NiSe 2 , ZnO, and NiSe 2 -ZnO nanocomposites against Bacillus cereus ( B. cereus ). Of all the prepared photocatalysts, the 75% NiSe 2 -ZnO nanocomposite revealed the best performance, exhibiting an inhibition zone of 28 mm.