Green synthesis of Fe-doped Ag-loaded reduced graphene oxide ternary nanocomposite for efficient photocatalytic degradation of toxic dyes

Abstract

Abstract The green synthesis of iron nanoparticles (FeNPs) doped and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) loaded reduced graphene oxide (rGO) (Fe-Ag@rGO) nanocomposite and its applications in methylene blue (MB), malachite green (MG), rhodamine B (RB) degradation were reported. Initially, AgNPs loaded rGO (Ag@rGO) nanocomposites were synthesised simultaneously by an ecological method using Tamarindus indica shell extract as a green reducing agent. Then, the doping of FeNPs into rGO@Ag nanocomposites afforded Fe-Ag@rGO nanocomposite. Interestingly, the finding of this study confirmed that the Fe-Ag@rGO nanocomposites exhibited countless stupendous features in terms of dye degradation. Briefly, the UV-visible spectroscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) study confirmed the synthesis of Fe-Ag@rGO nanocomposite. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed the spherical shape with cross-linked network structures that confirmed the surface modification and synthesis of Fe-Ag@rGO nanocomposite. Finally, the dye degradation potential of the photocatalyst was found to be 97.20%, 98.43%, and 97.33%, for MB, MG, RB, respectively. Herein, the improved photocatalytic performance of the Fe-Ag@rGO was found due to the larger surface area, porous nature, high electron mobility, and synergistic effect of the Fe-Ag@rGO nanocomposite. Additionally, the effective interfacial hybridisation of ‘Ag’, and doping of ‘Fe’ on the rGO sheet extended the duration of the photogenerated electron (e - ) hole pairs that can also be contributing to dye degradation. Conclusively, the present experiment provides the new Fe-Ag@rGO nanocomposite to the dye degradation, which could be improved environmental remediation.