Development of Cotton Fabric Loaded with Ag@ZnONPs as a Promising Reusable Antimicrobial Microfilter for Degrading the Methylene Blue Dye from Highly Polluted Water

The present study aimed to develop an environmentally friendly cotton fabric (CF) loaded with silver-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles (Ag@ZnONPs) as a microfilter for degrading methylene blue (MB) dye under visible light and prohibiting the growth of pathogenic bacteria presented in the contaminated water. The Ag@ZnONPs were prepared using precipitation and doping methods. The precipitation method was used for ZnONPs preparation, then the doping method for the deposition of AgNPs onto the surface of the prepared ZnONPs. After preparation, a small concentration was used to functionalize CF. Ag@ZnONPs were characterized using TEM and DLS analysis, illustrating the formation of nanoparticles with nearly spherical small size (55.91 nm) and PdI (0.630). Ag@ZnONPs-loaded CF exhibited a rough surface owing to the deposition of nanoparticles on the CF surface. Meanwhile, the untreated CF exhibited a smooth surface. The results showed that the Ag@ZnONPs-loaded CF exhibited excellent photocatalytic degradation of MB dye molecules under visible light, with degradation efficiencies reaching 100% within 150–180 min of irradiation. Moreover, the filter demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against the tested pathogenic bacteria, forming inhibition zones with diameters ranging from 15 ± 0.62 to 19 ± 0.56 mm. The biocompatibility and toxicity of the Ag@ZnONPs-loaded CF were also assessed, showing no significant toxicity issues and indicating its safe use in environmental applications. In addition, SEM analysis revealed the destructive effects of Ag@ZnONPs on the bacterial cells, further supporting its antibacterial efficacy. Overall, Ag@ZnONPs-loaded CF filter has shown great promise as a microfilter for the simultaneous removal of contaminants, degradation of organic dyes, and killing of pathogenic microbes from contaminated water, offering a sustainable and cost-effective solution for water purification.