Green synthesized Ag-TiO2 for degradation of organic dye through visible light driven photo-reactor and its kinetics

This study reports a green approach for the modification of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles with immobilization of silver nanoparticles. One of the natural sources i.e., Mangifera indica leaf extract was utilized as reducing and capping agent for the fabrication of Ag-TiO2 nanocatalyst. Further, the surface morphology and bandgap energy of prepared Ag-TiO2 were analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Also, it was characterized by X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRD) which provides the information regarding the crystallinity of the Ag-TiO2. Subsequently, photo activity of Ag-TiO2 was investigated for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye wastewater through visible light driven photoreactor. The Ag-TiO2 provided highest (68%) of photo-degradation efficiency within 110 min for 7.81 x 10(-5) mol/L initial MB concentration at pH 8 by using 0.19 g/L photocatalyst. Further, addition of 10 mM H2O2 boost up the MB photodegradation to 74%. The kinetic study confirmed the MB degradation followed first order rate of reaction.