Ultrasonic assisted green synthesis of Ag:CdO nanocubes and nanospheres using Citrus limon leaves for efficient degradation of organic dyes

Abstract

Ag:CdO nanocubes and nanosphere were synthesised via ultrasonic assisted green approach using Citrus limon leaves and applied for photodegradation. Nanocubes and nanosphere morphology were evident from SEM and TEM. The degradation time and apparent rate constant (from pseudo-first-order) for (2%) Ag:CdO@MB, (2%) Ag:CdO@Rh-B, (5%) Ag:CdO@MB and (5%) Ag:CdO@Rh-B system were t=33min (K=0.088min−1), t=42min (K=0.032min−1), t=18min (K=0.11min−1), t=24min (K=0.0759min−1), respectively. (5%) Ag:CdO conserve 92% of its activity after five repeated cycle. Generation of HO and O2− radicals lead photodegradation. Photocatalytic mechanism was elucidated and degradation pattern followed pseudo-first order kinetics.