Green AgNPs Decorated ZnO Nanocomposites for Dye Degradation And Antimicrobial Applications

Nanotechnology is an ablaze branch for the scientists and deals with the study of synthesis, characterization and application of nanomaterial. Phytochemicals available as bio-molecules present in Gongura leaves can be used to reduce silver ions into silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in a single step by novel synthetic routes. This biogenic reduction of silver ions to silver metal is quite rapid and can be easily scaled up. ZnO NPs are synthesized using popular hydrothermal route. X-ray diffraction pattern of reaction product confirmed the formation of silver and ZnO NPs. Optical properties, size and morphology of the ZnO-AgNPs composites have been analyzed using advanced characterization techniques. The bare AgNPs are spherical in shape with the particle size ranging from 1.1 to 1.5 μm where the ZnO NPs are in nanorods shape with the particle size ranging from 0.3 to 0.4 μm. The synthesized ZnO-Ag composites show a potential biological efficacy against pathogenic micro-organisms and are effective in dye degradation. Both of the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity facilitate the application of nanoparticles in medical and veterinary sciences. The 5 % AgNPs containing ZnO nanocomposites demonstrates a photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) dye (5.0 g/dm3) with an efficiency up to 99.21% within 75 min under UV light irradiation. This study gives an excellent dye degradation efficiency.