Visible light photocatalytic dye degradation, antimicrobial activities of green synthesized Ag/TiO2 nanoparticles

Abstract

The co-precipitation approach was used in this study to synthesize Ag/TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) using an extract of the flowers from C. pulcherrima. As a reducing agent and a stabilizer during the synthesis process, the flower extract performed a dual function. The surface plasmon resonance in the diffuse reflectance spectroscopy spectrum provided assurance that the Ag+, and Ti4+ ions were significantly reduced. The bandgap study of the Ag/TiO2 NPs revealed that they are suitable for optical and catalytic applications. The NPs were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) to assess their size and crystal structure. Through scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), the shape and size changes of the Ag/TiO2 NPs were studied. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis was employed to investigate the elements' chemical composition in the produced NPs. A Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) study was carried out to identify functional groups that might be present in the plant extract and might be involved in the chemical reduction, stabilization, and bonding processes. The photocatalytic disintegration of the hazardous organic dye pollutant methylene blue was studied for 40 min while being exposed to visible light. The flower extract was used to create Ag/TiO2 NPs efficiency degradation rate of 94 %. Additionally, then NPs antimicrobial capacity was assessed, and it was discovered that they were most effective against the infections P. aeruginosa and E. coli.