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

S N Nangare, S Landge, A G Patil, R S Tade, P K Deshmukh and P O Patil

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.