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Highly recyclable and ultra-rapid catalytic reduction of organic pollutants on Ag–Cu@ZnO bimetal nanocomposite synthesized via green technology

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Abstract

In this study, synthesis of Ag–Cu alloy bimetal nanoparticles anchored on high surface and porous ZnO using a facile, greener and low-cost aqeous bark extract of Aglaia roxburghiana for highly active, ultra-rapid and stable catalyst is performed. The nanocomposite was scrupulously characterized using UV–Vis spectrophotometer, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectrophotometer, high-resolution transmission electron microscope, selected area (electron) diffraction, scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The catalytic activity of the green synthesized Ag–Cu bimetal nanocomposite was evaluated in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP), methylene blue (MB) and rhodamine B (Rh B) dyes. The different types of dye exhibited very high and effective catalytic activity within few seconds. The theoretical investigations reveal that the unique synergistic effect of Ag–Cu nanoparticles and immobilization over ZnO assists in the reduction of 4-NP, MB and Rh B. Loading and leaching of metal nanoparticles were obtained using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Moreover, the stable and efficient recyclability of nanocomposite by centrifugation after completion of the reaction was demonstrated. The results lead to the design different possible bimetal on ZnO with boosting and an effective catalyst for the environmental applications.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to financial support from Pondicherry University. The authors acknowledge the Central Instrumentation Facility, Pondicherry University and Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facility, STIC, Cochin for providing instrumentation facilities for characterization of the nanoparticles.

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  1. M. Gangarapu and S. Sarangapany contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, 605014, India

    Manjari Gangarapu, Saran Sarangapany, Devipriya P. Suja & Vijaya Bhaskara Rao Arava

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  1. Manjari Gangarapu
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  2. Saran Sarangapany
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  3. Devipriya P. Suja
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  4. Vijaya Bhaskara Rao Arava
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Correspondence to Manjari Gangarapu.

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Gangarapu, M., Sarangapany, S., Suja, D.P. et al. Highly recyclable and ultra-rapid catalytic reduction of organic pollutants on Ag–Cu@ZnO bimetal nanocomposite synthesized via green technology. Appl Nanosci 8, 1123–1131 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13204-018-0753-5

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