Synthesis, characterization of Ag nanoparticles using the green approach towards degradation of environmental pollutant

In the present study, a facile and eco-friendly method was used for the preparation of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) by simultaneous bio-reduction of AgNO3 precursors with Simarouba glauca bark extract. The morphology, functional group, and chemical bonding were confirmed using transmission electron microscopic (TEM), scanning electron microscopic (SEM), FT-IR spectroscopic, UV-Vis spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction analysis. GC-MS investigated the mixtures of organic components. The FT-IR spectroscopy results showed the presence of C=O and C-O groups in the plant extract that played a critical role as capping and reducing agents of Ag NPs. Among all the catalysts, Ag NPs for different catalysts such as (A) 2.5 mL of bark: 1 mL of Ag solution, (B) 3 mL of bark: 1 mL of Ag solution (C) 3.5 mL of bark: 1 mL of Ag solution, and (D) 4 mL of bark: 1 mL of Ag solution were exhibited an excellent activity in the reduction of methylene blue with an apparent rate (K-app) constant and turn over frequency (TOF). Out of which, 4 mL of bark: 1 mL of Ag solution (Ag NPs) catalyst exhibited the superior activity of K-app value 116 x 10(-4) s(-1) and TOF value of 8.5 x 10(-4) s(-1) under pseudo-first-order reaction condition. These results reveal that synthesized Ag NPs have improved dye degradation efficiency of MB for potentials, and the synthesized Ag NPs could use in the environmental catalysts.

Automated summary

In this study, Ag nanoparticles were prepared by a facile and eco-friendly method using Simarouba glauca bark extract for bio-reduction of AgNO3 precursors. The synthesized Ag NPs showed improved dye degradation efficiency and potential applications in environmental catalysts. Analysis using various techniques confirmed the morphology and functional groups of the Ag NPs.