Synthesis, Characterization, and Regeneration of Ag/TiO2 Nanoparticles: Photocatalytic Removal of Mixed Dye Pollutants

Abstract

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles were prepared via the hydrothermal method, and silver was supported on TiO2 nanoparticles to form Ag/TiO2 using the photoreduction method. The prepared samples were dried overnight at 60◦ C and then calcined at 500◦ C for 2 h. Structural and morphological characterization were carried out using X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The adsorption performance and photocatalytic activity of the Ag/TiO2 were investigated using malachite green dye (MG) as a model organic pollutant in water. Along the way, the effects of various parameters were examined, such as regeneration experiments and removal of a laboratory sample (a mixture of several dyes) from aqueous solutions. The photocatalytic degradation efficiency reached 83.9%, 78.8%, and 68.5% during three cycles, compared to the standard solution (fresh), which reached 90.9%. These results underscore the potential application of Ag/TiO2 in environmental remediation, particularly in the degradation of organic dyes.