Facile Synthesis of Mesoporous Ag Doped Titania Nanocomposite as Extraordinarily Effective Photo-Catalyst Beneath Vis Light

Abstract

In this probe, mesoporous titania nanorods (MTR) were fabricated as a photo-catalyst beneath Vis light illumination. The photo-catalytic enactment of the MTR nanocomposite boosted via decoration with metallic Ag. Role of Ag in boosting various aspects (optoelectronic, optical, surface, structural and photo-catalytic performance) of fabricated Ag@MTR nanocomposite was also affirmed. Ag@MTR nanocomposite accommodating 3.0% wt. Ag possessed lower band gap (2.17 eV) compared to that of pure MTR nanocomposite (3.25 eV), and so the Ag-doped nanocomposite acquired upgraded Vis light absorption aspects. The photo-catalytic performance for the Ag doped MTR nanocomposite was tested via its capability to remediate ciprofloxacin (CIP) antibiotic from aquatic medium. 1 h was enough for complete (100%) degradation of ciprofloxacin (CIP) via utilization of 2.4 g · L–1 Ag@MTR nanocomposite accommodating 3.0% wt. Ag. The boosted photo-catalytic efficacy of fabricated Ag@MTR nanocomposite was attributed to the enlarged charge carrier's separation beside the diminished electron–hole reconsolidation, as a result of surface plasmon resonance of Ag@MTR nanocomposite. In addition, the fabricated Ag@MTR nanocomposite exhibited great stability with distinguished recyclability after application up to five cycles. This investigation recommends the operation of Ag doped titania photo-catalyst for efficient remediation of pharmaceutical pollutants from aquatic environment.