Bactericidal and photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange of silver-silver chloride nanoparticles synthesized using aqueous phyto-extract

Abstract

Silver-silver chloride nanoparticles (Ag-AgCl NPs) have bactericidal activity and are widely used for water disinfection. The rapid, facile and green method was proposed for the synthesis of Ag-AgCl NPs which are nontoxic and cost effective. The present study highlights the use of water extract of Ehretia laevis leaf as a reducing agent for Ag-AgCl NPs synthesis from silver nitrate by a green synthesis route. The formation of Ag-AgCl NPs was analyzed by UV-Vis spectrophotometer, a characteristic absorbance peak at 450–500 nm with a color change in reaction solution was observed. Further, it was confirmed by XRD and EDX technique. The transmission electron microscopy reveals the synthesized Ag-AgCl NPs were spherical to oval shape with an approximately size of 20–80 nm. The X-ray diffraction confirms face-centered cubic structure of synthesized Ag-AgCl and the element composition by energy dispersive X-ray analysis. Interaction between leaf extract and the synthesized Ag-AgCl was studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The synthesized Ag-AgCl NPs show bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli bacteria and also shows the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange by Ag-AgCl NPs in combination with Fenton’s reagent with 98% maximum degradation efficiency.