Photocatalytic removal of textile wastewater-originated methylene blue and malachite green dyes using spent black tea extract-coated silver nanoparticles
Sikander Ali, Huma Ijaz, Muhammad Usman Ahmad, Rukhma, Najeeb Ullah, Abid Sarwar, Muhammad Jalal Khan, Tariq Aziz, Ashwag Shami, Fahad Al‐Asmari
Abstract
The spent black tea extract was utilized in order to synthesize the spent black tea silver nanoparticles (SBT-AgNPs). Various parameters were tested to yield the best production of SBT-AgNPs. The characterization was conducted by X-Ray diffraction, Scanning electron microscopy, Zeta potential and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). The XRD analysis showed hkl planes corresponding to (111), (200), (220), (311) planes at 2θ theta deg 38.3°, 40.8°, 64.5°, and 74.2°. The scanning electron microscopy reported the plate like round shaped morphology of the AgNPs. The zeta potential was examined to be -17.5 mV and a size distribution by intensity of 157.6 d. nm was observed. The EDX was employed to determine the purity of samples by reporting a strong peak of silver (Ag). The degradation activity was examined by photocatalytic removal of methylene blue and malachite green dyes from textile wastewater. The textile wastewater showed a decrease of methylene blue by 25% and 58.3%. The malachite green was also reduced by 33.3% and 60%, which was remarkably significant owing to the presence of the complex factor in the natural environment. The study sets a promising record to harbor the full potential of available food waste resource, such as spent black tea to form SBT-AgNPs and its application in the dye removal from textile waste. The multifaceted outcomes of this study resulted in an eco-friendly procedure, thereby reusing the waste material for environmental cleanup.