Novel silver vanadate coupled semiconductor nanocomposites for effective removal of toxic organics

Abstract

One of the world's most important challenges is the lack of access to clean water, and researchers are working tirelessly to find a solution. Nanotechnology-treated water is superior to conventionally treated water since it contains no hazardous microorganisms or organic dyes. In this study, the influence of light on Ag3VO4 nanocomposites doped with synthesized ZnO nanoparticles was analyzed. SEM, FTIR, XRD, XPS, and UV–vis spectroscopy were just some of the methods used to characterize the as-prepared nanocomposites. An Ag3VO4/ZnO nanocomposite was used to successfully adsorb and photodegrade Acid Green-16(AG-16), and Acid Red-72(AR-72) from an aqueous solution. Visible light dramatically accelerates the adsorption and photodegradation of the Ag3VO4/ZnO nanocomposite compared to complete darkness. 77.52 %, 82.86 %, and 89.56 % of AG-16 and 77.11 %, 82.74 %, and 87.91 % of AR-72 were removed by the ZnO, Ag3VO4, and Ag3VO4/ZnO nanocomposites, respectively, in less than 60 min. However, visible-light photodegradation is more successful than adsorption alone in removing AG-16 and AR-72. In this pioneering study, we assess the catalytic performance of newly synthesized ZnO incorporated Ag3VO4 nanocomposites for the UV-assisted degradation of organic dyes. Our study presents an innovative catalyst system that exhibits improved efficiency and holds promise for implementation in environmentally sustainable wastewater treatment methods.