Biogenically Fabricated Nanocatalyst Based on Silver Nanoparticles and Reduced Graphene Oxide Using Plant Sources of Bangladesh

This study reports a unique and novel biogenic synthetic route for silver nanoparticles/reduced graphene oxide (AgNPs/rGO) nanocomposite using Piper chaba stem extract as a reducing agent in a simple, eco-friendly, and cost-effective one-step procedure. Piper chaba stem extract effectively and simultaneously reduces the Ag⁺ ions and GO to form AgNPs/rGO nanocomposite as confirmed by X-ray diffraction and ultraviolet visible spectroscopic analysis. The anchoring of AgNPs on rGO was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy analysis. An identical synthetic route was employed for the fabrication of AgNPs/rGO nanocomposite on a treated loof obtained from nature as a solid support. The resultant AgNPs/rGO nanocomposite and AgNPs/rGO/solid support showed excellent catalytic efficiency toward the reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol using sodium borohydride. In addition, the AgNPs/rGO/solid support exhibited good reusability with a conversion of 4-NP of 97% in the 5th cycle. This biogenic method brings forth a new prospect of an alternative to the conventional chemical methods in the large-scale fabrication of AgNPs/rGO nanocomposite through a simpler and greener strategy.

• Research Project