Synthesis of eco-friendly alginate-based supports for silver oxide immobilization in catalytic degradation of textile dyes

Significant efforts were done to prepare eco-friendly supports for the immobilization of silver oxide nanoparticles. Alginate was interacted with chitosan in the presence of functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (COOH-MWCNTs) under ultrasonic waves to form polymeric nanocomposite supports. Silver oxide nanoparticles were made to embed and react with polymeric supports in the presence of surfactants to form nanocomposite catalysts (Cs90 (Ag2O), Cc90 (Ag2O), CD90 (Ag2O)). Advanced instrumental techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-visible spectrophotometry (UV), X-rays diffractometry and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis were used to characterize the nanoparticles as well as nanocomposites. The nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed and embedded in the alginate-based supports, indicated by SEM and TEM. The physico-chemical interactions between nanoparticles and matrix were indicated by FTIR spectroscopy. More surface area of newly formulated catalysts compared with pristine polymers is shown by the BET technique. The porous nature made the catalysts to show the best results in the degradation of methylene blue (MB), methyl orange (MO) and eosin Y (EY) by providing reactive centers and diffusion pathways. It is known that prepared nanocomposites have potential to use as catalysts for many times, suggesting their inclusion in the water flow system.