Physicochemical characteistics and photocatalytic activity of silver nanoparticles-decorated on natural halloysite (an aluminosilicate clay)

Abstract

Development of functional material for green chemistry applications become popular in recent years, and as part of these, preparation of nanoparticles for such application of organic contaminat is interesting topic. This research was aimed to prepare the chemical stable silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) for photocatalytic application over decorating onto natural clay mineral, halloysite. Prepared material was characterized using UV-Visible spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR), gas sorption analysis, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) studies. From TEM analysis, it is found that AgNPs present in the diameter range of 20-50 nm. The dispersed AgNPs slightly affect to increase the surface parameter of specific surface area and pore volume of the mineral. Photocatalytic activity test of the material exhibits that silver nanoparticle decorated halloysite shows excellent photocatalytic activity for photooxidation of rhodamine B.