Green synthesis of Ag/RGO nanohybrid using Terminalia Arjuna bark extract as a recyclable catalyst for the reduction of toxic nitroaromatics and azo dyes

Abstract

In this study, the green synthesis of silver nanoparticle (Ag) decorated reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanohybrid using Terminalia Arjuna bark extract was reported for the first time. As-synthesized Ag/RGO nanohybrid was used as a highly active and recyclable green catalyst for the reduction of harmful nitroaromatics (p-nitrophenol and p-nitroaniline) and azo dyes (methylene blue, methyl orange and Congo red) with significant efficiency. The catalytic reduction of the nitroaromatics and azo dyes followed pseudo-unimolecular kinetics in the present study. Notably, the Ag/RGO nanohybrid exhibited excellent reusability and stability till five recycle runs. The present study can provide new insights into the growing interest of low-cost and environmentally benign methods for nanomaterial synthesis towards environmental remediation applications.