Photoelectrochemical water oxidation kinetics and antibacterial studies of one-dimensional SiC nanowires synthesized from industrial waste

Abstract

Silicon wafers are significantly utilized in integrated circuits and memory devices for the fabrication of novel semiconductor devices. As a result, a substantial amount of silicon wastes are generated every year. But recycling process of pure silicon waste is expensive with an additional problem related to chemical waste generation. Thus, the possibility of inevitable silicon waste conversion into potential nanostructures is not only beneficial for the semiconductor industry but also resolves current e-waste pollution. Hence, we successfully achieved hexagonal silicon carbide (SiC) nanowires under a strategic combination of waste silicon wafers and graphite powder by robust high-energy ball milling and heat treatment approaches. Structural, morphological, chemical, and optical properties of SiC nanowires are systematically studied by XRD, SEM, TEM, XPS, and optical absorbance. This facile experimental technique recognized the value of SiC nanowire generation for exploring multifunctional photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting and antibacterial activity. Accordingly, SiC nanowires achieved a photocurrent density of about 0.21 mA cm−2 vs. Ag/AgCl, which demonstrates enhanced light absorption capacity under reduced charge carrier recombination. Moreover, SiC nanowires prevailed decrement in the charge carrier resistance (27.53 Ω) under light state compared to the dark state (26.76 Ω). Specifically, potentiodynamic studies revealed superior exchange current density (− 3.17 mA cm−2), Tafel slope (80.1 mV dec−1), and limiting diffusion current density (− 1.49 mA cm−2) under light state than the dark state. Also, these results are certainly applicable for superior antibacterial activity against E. coli and L. monocytogenes about 90% and 75% under visible light, respectively. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.