Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles, characterization and evaluation of their photocatalytic dye degradation activity
Swati Jaast, Anita Grewal
Abstract
In the present study, silver nanoparticles were synthesized by Citrus reticulata Blanco (Kinnow mandarin hybrid) peel extract. The formation of silver nanoparticles was observed by color change from pale yellow to brown and then confirmed by UV spectral analysis, which showed a peak at 423 nm. The silver nanoparticles were found to be spherical and appeared to form nanoclusters as confirmed by TEM and FE-SEM respectively. FTIR analysis was conducted to identify the functional groups present in nanoparticles. Several peaks were observed in the range 525–3251 cm⁻1. The major peak observed at 1641.8 cm⁻1 exhibit C–N and C–C stretching. The band at 3251.0 cm−1 was observed due to stretching vibrations of O–H groups in water, alcohol and phenols. The biosynthesized silver nanoparticles were used for the degradation of malachite green dye, which is harmful for both aquatic and human life. Complete degradation of MG dye was observed after 120 h (5 days) of incubation in the presence of sunlight. The results of photo catalytic degradation of malachite green by using nanoparticles demonstrated the feasibility of nanoparticles in purification of water.