Photocatalytic and molecular docking supported antimicrobial investigations of PVP capped MWCNTs/La/ZnO nanostructures

•PVP capped MWCNTs/Zn1-xLaxO (x = 0.1–0.0001) nano-composites are successfully prepared using chemical co-precipitation method.•Synthesized material were characterized for successful doping of La3+ and functional groups.•Photocatalytic performances were evaluated from degradation of MB dye under UV light exposure.•The antimicrobial activities of synthesized materials were estimated against S. aureus and E. Coli bacteria.•Possible mechanisms are proposed for photo-catalytic degradation and antimicrobial performances.