Green synthesis assisted by sonochemical activation of Fe3O4-Ag nano-alloys: Structural characterization and studies of sorption of cationic dyes

Abstract

In the present work, Fe3O4-Ag nanoalloys were synthesized by a novelty green route employing Justicia spicigera and sonochemical activation. The novelty of the proposed methodology, lies in the fact that the use of this endemic plant (Justicia spicigera), has not been reported as reducing agent of metallic salts of Fe and Ag simultaneously. Also, the green synthesis process is assisted by sonication in order to favors the ions dispersion in the solution and consequently, promotes an efficient nucleation and grown of the Fe3O4-Ag nanoalloys. The obtained nanoparticles exhibit an enhanced photocatalytic activity and pronounced magnetic properties. X-Ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirm the Fe3O4-Ag nano-alloys formation. The crystallite size and strain of the Fe3O4–Ag nanoalloys were calculated from the X-Ray diffraction pattern by the Williamson-Hall method. Complementarily, the Fe3O4-Ag nanoalloys were characterized electrochemically by cyclic voltammetry. The photocatalytic properties of the biosynthesized Fe3O4-Ag were evaluated in red Congo (RC) degradation and described by kinetics absorptions models. The green synthesis process assisted by sonication, offers a simple, non-toxic, eco-friendly and at a low cost alternative to obtaining Fe3O4 nanoalloys with well-defined morphology and an enhanced photocatalytic activity and pronounced magnetic properties.