Green synthesis of Ag nanoparticles/clinoptilolite using Vaccinium macrocarpon fruit extract and its excellent catalytic activity for reduction of organic dyes

The Vaccinium macrocarpon fruit extract was used to green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) supported on the surface of clinoptilolite through the reduction of Ag+ ions to Ag and its immobilization on clinoptilolite surface during a green process. Clinoptilolite, Ag NPs, and Ag NPs/clinoptilolite were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and UV-Vis spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Elemental mapping, X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and transmittance electron microscopy (TEM). The green nanocomposite as an excellent catalyst for reduction of Methyl Orange (MO), Methylene Blue (MB), Rhodamine B (RhB), and Congo Red (CR) at room temperature showed several times recoverability and reusability with ignorable loss of its activity. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.