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Graphene oxide (GO) is a biocompatible material that is easily dispersible in water making its mixing easy with ceramic or polymer matrixes while trying to enhance their properties. In the present study, the photocatalytic and antibacterial activities of GO have been studied. GO has been synthesized by modified Hummer's method. The synthesized material has been characterized using X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and UV-visible spectroscopy. HR-TEM confirmed the formation of GO nanosheets. It has been observed that GO nanosheets with excellent morphology exhibit efficient photocatalytic activity towards Congo red (CR) dye. Using advanced oxidation process, toxic organic dye CR is oxidized through reaction with reactive oxidative species generated by GO photocatalyst under UV-light irradiation. The study reflects new possibilities of GO for degradation of toxic organic pollutants. The effect of GO dose has also been studied and the reaction has been evaluated to be first order. Antibacterial activity of GO has been evaluated via well diffusion assay by growing Escherichia coli and Bacillus on LB agar plates.

BACKGROUND We report our recent study on the use of a zinc‐modified NaY zeolite to decompose CO2 at a temperature range between 300 and 550 °C. RESULTS At a reaction temperature of 450 °C, we observed that 70% of CO2 was converted with an insignificant quantity of CO produced. Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis of the neat and spent catalysts confirmed the presence of carbon nanostructures after the reaction. In addition to this, CHN analysis supports these results by providing weight percent (0.73 wt%) of carbon after reaction. Stability of the catalyst was further confirmed with slight/no change in X‐ray diffraction technique. CONCLUSION This route potentially offers a facile strategy to achieve CO2 decomposition and an explanation of the formation of carbon on zinc‐modified zeolite catalysts. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).