Catalytic evaluation and in vitro bacterial inactivation of graphitic carbon nitride/carbon sphere doped bismuth oxide quantum dots with evidential in silico analysis

Herein, Bi(2)O(3) quantum dots (QDs) have been synthesized and doped with various concentrations of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C(3)N(4)) and a fixed amount of carbon spheres (CS) using a co-precipitation technique. XRD analysis confirmed the presence of monoclinic structure along the space group P2(1)/c and C2/c. Various functional groups and characteristic peaks of (Bi–O) were identified using FTIR spectra. QDs morphology of Bi(2)O(3) showed agglomeration with higher amounts of g-C(3)N(4) by TEM analysis. HR-TEM determined the variation in the d-spacing which increased with increasing dopants. These doping agents were employed to reduce the exciting recombination rate of Bi(2)O(3) QDs by providing more active sites which enhance antibacterial activity. Notably, (6 wt%) g-C(3)N(4)/CS-doped Bi(2)O(3) exhibited considerable antimicrobial potential in opposition to E. coli at higher values of concentrations relative to ciprofloxacin. The (3 wt%) g-C(3)N(4)/CS-doped Bi(2)O(3) exhibits the highest catalytic potential (97.67%) against RhB in a neutral medium. The compound g-C(3)N(4)/CS-Bi(2)O(3) has been suggested as a potential inhibitor of β-lactamase(E. coli) and DNA gyrase(E. coli) based on the findings of a molecular docking study that was in better agreement with in vitro bactericidal activity.