Facile synthesis of multitasking composite of Silver nanoparticle with Zinc oxide for 4-nitrophenol reduction, photocatalytic hydrogen production, and 4-chlorophenol degradation

Abstract

The multifunctional zinc oxide electrode was used in numerous applications. This study includes the cat-alytic performance of zinc oxide, which is further enhanced by the silver nanoparticle. The facile and cost-effective hydrothermal method is used to fabricate ZnO and Ag/ZnO composites. The Ag/ZnO-based catalyst is mainly constructed to reduce the water pollution caused by industrial discharges, which contains ha-zardous compounds like 4-nitrophenol (4-NP), 4-chlorophenol (4-CP), and many other organic compounds. Removal of these hazardous organic compounds from potable water sources is essential for both ecosystem and human beings. In this study, Ag/ZnO composite was used as an efficient catalyst for catalytic reduction of hazardous 4-NP, and photocatalytic degradation of 4-CP. Catalytic reduction of the 4-NP using the Ag/ZnO composite is based on the Langmuir-Hinshelwood principle. In addition to this study Ag/ZnO composite was tested for photocatalytic hydrogen production. The high charge transfer efficiency of Ag in the Ag/ZnO composite is helpful for enhancement in catalytic performance for hydrogen production and 4-CP de-gradation. The catalytic activity of Ag/ZnO in the 4-CP degradation increased from 59% to 96% and for hydrogen production rate increased from 1.9 to 12 mu mol h(-1), as compared with the catalytic activity of ZnO. (C) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.