Facile Green Synthesis of Ag@g-C3N4 for Enhanced Photocatalytic and Catalytic Degradation of Organic Pollutant

A simple and easy green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) was prepared using Sapindus emarginatus stem bark extract and anchored over graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) surface. The synthesized materials characterized by UV–Visible, XRD, FESEM, FETEM, FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy ensured the development of Ag NPs anchored over the g-C3N4 surface. The prepared catalyst was utilized for Methylene Blue (MB) dye degradation through visible light photocatalysis. The optimization of operational parameters, like the effect of catalyst dosage, H2O2 concentration and slurry pH, was performed. The results exhibited that compared to pristine g-C3N4, photocatalytic efficacy was enhanced two-fold in Ag@g-C3N4. Also, the prepared Ag@g-C3N4 showed a faster catalytic MB dye reduction (25 s) in the presence of NaBH4. The catalyst was recovered from the reaction solution by centrifugation and reused for five consecutive cycles. The results showed that there was no significant loss in the efficiency of the catalyst. These results confirmed that the green synthesized Ag@g-C3N4 is likely advantageous for organic pollutants degradation.