Development of Ag/SrTiO3 and Ag/SrTiO3/GO nanocomposites with superior photocatalytic and electrochemical characteristics for the environmental remediation of industrial dye

Abstract

Photocatalyst technology is the most feasible method for the degradation of industrial pollutants as it requires lesser energy and is also highly efficient. In this study, we report for the first time the synthesis of strontium nitrate nanocubes (ST NCs) by two-step decoration strategy using silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) and graphene oxide nanosheets (GO NSs) to form Ag/ST and Ag/ST/GO nanocomposites via facile ultrasonication route. The crystallinity, chemical composition, morphology, optical, photocatalytic and electrochemical measurements of the samples were characterized using x-ray diffractometer (XRD), x-ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS), high-resolution scanning electron microscope (HRSEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectrophotometer and electrochemical workstation. The synthesized 3%Ag/ST and 3%Ag/ST/3%GO nanocomposites demonstrated highest degradation efficiency for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye, resulting in 97 % and 99 % degradation in 60 min and 45 min. The samples demonstrated good stability and reproducibility throughout the degradation process.