Plasma activated cotton fabric functionalized with silver‑titanium dioxide nanoparticles for synergistic photodegradation of hazardous dye and antibacterial potential in wastewater treatment

This work offers a method for wastewater treatment using the plasma activated cotton fabric (PACF) that functionalized with silver‑titanium dioxide nanoparticles (Ag-TiO₂NPs). The functionalized fabric (Ag-TiO₂NPs@PACF) was assessed for its photocatalytic and antibacterial efficacy. The photocatalytic degradation of malachite green (MG) dye was performed under visible light, achieving an impressive degradation efficiency of about 100 % in 150 min. The impact of critical reaction parameters, such as pH, dye concentration, and temperature, was methodically analyzed. The antibacterial activity of Ag-TiO₂NPs@PACF was evaluated by agar diffusion and time-kill experiments. The findings demonstrated significant bactericidal efficacy, with total bacterial elimination occurring within 90 to 105 min. Moreover, reusability assessments revealed the material's resilience, maintaining over 86 % efficiency after five successive deterioration cycles. The toxicity evaluation using Vibrio fischeri bioluminescence inhibition validated the environmental safety of the tested material. This study highlights the promise of Ag-TiO₂NPs@PACF as a multifunctional material for an environmentally sustainable and economically viable approach to concurrent water purification.