Solar light active biogenic titanium dioxide embedded silver oxide (AgO/Ag2O@TiO2) nanocomposite structures for dye degradation by photocatalysis

• Published in: Materials science in semiconductor processing 2021-09, Vol.132, p.105923, Article 105923
• Main Authors: Deekshitha, Shetty K., Vidya
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: AgO/Ag2O@TiO2 nanocomposite; Alcaligenes aquatilis; Dye degradation; Microbial synthesis; Photocatalyst; Solar light
• ISSN: 1369-8001; 1873-4081
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mssp.2021.105923

A novel method of synthesis of TiO2 embedded AgO/Ag2O nanocomposite using the cell free culture supernatant of the bacteria Alcaligenes aquatilis at room temperature is reported. Highly crystalline nanocomposite containing rutile TiO2, Ag2O and AgO was formed by the biosynthesis route. AgO/Ag2O particles were embedded in TiO2 and the average particle size was found to be 13.4 nm. The synthesized nanocomposite with a band gap energy of 1.75 eV was found to degrade 100 ppm Reactive Blue 220 dye almost completely in acidic pH at a catalyst loading of 1 g/L under visible light irradiation in 90 min. The nanocomposites also showed good photocatalytic activity under solar light, and thus can be used effectively in solar driven photocatalysis for waste water treatment. [Display omitted] •TiO2 embedded Ag2O/AgO–TiO2 nanocomposite synthesized using Alcaligenes aquatilis.•AgNO3 reduction is followed by TiO2 formation by the cell free supernatant.•The nanocomposite formed has particle size of 13.4 nm and band gap of 1.75 eV.•Complete degradation of Reactive blue-220 dye under visible light.•The nanocomposite is an efficient visible and solar light active photocatalyst.