Investigation of antibacterial and organic pollutants degradation using UV-light hypersensitive chitosan-doped CeO2-Ga2O3 binary nanocomposites

Chitosan-doped CeO2-Ga2O3 nanocomposites were synthesised via a hydrothermal route and systematically characterised by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), UV–Vis, Photoluminescence (PL), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and N2 adsorption-desorption analyses. The integration of chitosan improved surface area, particle distribution, and adsorption capability, whereas the CeO2-Ga2O3 heterojunction promoted effective charge separation. This unique integration of a biodegradable biopolymer with binary metal oxides provides a sustainable platform that combines environmental compatibility with high functional performance. The resultant composite demonstrated significant photocatalytic destruction of Methylene Blue (95.9%) and Methyl Orange (98.6%) under UV illumination, maintaining efficacy during five reuse cycles. Antibacterial assays demonstrated substantial suppression of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus cereus. The amalgamation of elevated activity, stability, and cost-effective synthesis illustrates the economic viability of these nanocomposites for wastewater treatment and disinfection, providing an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional approaches.