Preparation of Ag-SiO2 nanocomposites and photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes

Abstract

Silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles were synthesized using a sonochemical method by applying ultrasonic irradiation to a mixed aqueous- alcoholic solution of ammonium hydroxide with tetraethyl orthosilicate at room temperature. The morphology and optical properties of the Ag-SiO2 nanocomposites were determined by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. The Ag-SiO2 nanocomposites were examined as a catalyst for the photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes, e.g., methylene blue, methyl green, methyl violet, methyl orange and rhodamine B under visible light at 380-780 nm.