Catalytic reduction of nitrophenols and dyes using silver nanoparticles @ cellulose polymer paper for the resolution of waste water treatment challenges

Abstract

Environmental remediation of toxic organic pollutants on catalytic reduction has gained much attention. The discharge of untreated effluents into the aquatic environment leads to an unwanted change in ecological balance. Recently, effluents of organic dyes and nitroarenes have been identified as a new threat because the unwanted dyes and nitro compounds are toxic to fauna, flora, and humans. Effective and selective removal of organic dye from water systems is a pressing global issue for both drinking water and wastewater purification. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using Duranta erecta leaves’ extract as a reducing agent. Silver nanocomposites were prepared supported by cellulose acetate filter paper (Ag@CAF) and titanium dioxide (Ag@TiO2) via facile biological route. Microscopic properties of the prepared Ag@CAF and Ag@TiO2 were examined using various spectroscopic techniques such as EDX, XRD and FE-SEM. To check the applicability of synthesized catalysts toward wastewater decontamination, reduction of six models, organic pollutants were investigated such as 4-nitrophenol (4-NP), 2-nitrophenol (2-NP), 2-nitroaniline (2-NA), trinitrophenols (TNP) as well as rhodamine B (RhB) and methyl orange (MO) dyes. The CAF and TiO2 based Ag nanocatalysts showed multifunctional properties, like outstanding catalytic activity, easy recovery as well as high stability. In addition to being eco-friendly and renewable, the rough and porous structure of CAF and TiO2 provided surface area for the silver nanoparticles. The dense metal nanoparticles provide possible catalytic sites for the subsequent reduction of organic molecules. In the present paper, Ag@CAF and Ag@TiO2 demonstrate cheaper, ecofriendly, highly effective, recoverable, stable and universally applicable and advocated that the prepared catalysts would be highly useful in the treatment of wastewater.