Bioinspired heterogeneous N, S-codoped 3D carbon- CuWO₄@Ag nano-architecture from CuWO₄-spongin scaffold for boosting photocatalytic efficiency and cell viability

This study investigated the photodegradation process of Rhodamine B (RhB) and acetaminophen (ACE) using a novel N-S-codoped carbon microporous and three-dimensional (3D) architecture (NSC) derived from a spongin scaffold of poriferan origin. For the first time NSC-CuWO 4 was synthesized by converting a ready to use 3D microfibrous spongin scaffold through co-precipitation and in-situ pyrolysis. Subsequently, silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were incorporated to create the NSC-CuWO 4 @Ag hybrid material. The 3D architectural morphology and N-S-codoping of the material provided advantages in terms of high charge-separation efficiency, charge transfer, mass transfer, and optical absorption during the photoreaction. Under visible-light irradiation, NSC-CuWO 4 @Ag hybrid nanomaterial demonstrated excellent photocatalytic efficiency, degrading over 91 % of ACE and 97 % of RhB within 30 minutes. The photochemical tests revealed that electrons generated by irradiated CuWO 4 @Ag material transferred to the NSC microporous structure, facilitating the reduction of O 2 and the production of H 2 O 2 in an aqueous environment. This process significantly boosted the photocatalytic activity of CuWO 4 . The MTT assay indicated that NSC-CuWO₄@Ag nanoparticles (NPs) showed the highest cell viability. This is attributed to the silver NPs, which enhance biocompatibility and reduce the cytotoxic effects associated with carbonized spongin-derived NSC. This hybrid nanocomposite demonstrates excellent biocompatibility, making it a promising candidate for biomedical applications that require minimal cellular toxicity. • NSC-CuWO 4 @Ag was synthesized by co-precipitation and calcination methods. • NSC-CuWO 4 @Ag enhanced the charge separation under visible light irradiation. • 3D fibrous spongin scaffold was acted as a template for creating NSC architecture. • Ag NPs were enhanced photocatalytic activity by LSPR effect. • NSC-CuWO₄@Ag photocatalytically degrades 97% RhB & 91% ACE in 30 mins under light.