Facile and eco-benign fabrication of Ag/Fe2O3 nanocomposite using Algaia Monozyga leaves extract and its' efficient biocidal and photocatalytic applications

Noble metal/metal oxide nanocomposites are pet and spellbound candidates in biomedical and catalytic fields because of their awestruck properties. This report put forward the facile and environmentally friendly fabrication of Ag/Fe2O3 nanocomposite using the eqeous extract of Algaia Monozyga leaves. The Ag/ Fe2O3 bimetallic nanocomposite was prepared using AgNO3, FeCl3 (anhydrous) and plant leaves extract as a natural source for reduction and stabilization of this nanocomposite. We prepared a separate solution of Silver and Iron salts and upon addition of this solution to the plant extract, the conversion of colour to brown appears within 10 min at constant stirring at 350 rpm. To confirm the synthesis of nanocomposite, UV-vis spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), EDX and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy were used. The as prepared nanocomposite was used for photocatalytic activity in degradation of Methylene Blue (MB) in the presence of light which shows effective photocatalytic activity. The antimicrobial activities were also determined for nanocomposite which were found to be efficient against human pathogenic multidrug resistant bacteria. The Ag/Fe2O3 nanocomposite significantly preventing the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, E.coli QH4 and Pseudomonas putida with zones of inhibition 23 (+/- 0.5), 21 (+/- 0.4) and 19 (+/- 0.4) mm, respectively.The eco-benignly synthesized Ag/Fe2O3 nanocomposite could be a desired material for efficient remediation of toxic organic pollutants and microbes.