A Novel Kinetic Approach for Photocatalytic Degradation of Azo Dye with CdS and Ag/CdS Nanoparticles Fixed on a Cement Bed in a Continuous-Flow Photoreactor

Silver-Loaded Carbon and Phosphorous Co-Doped Boron Nitride Quantum Dots (Ag@CP-BNQDs) for Efficient Organic Waste Removal: Theoretical and Experimental Investigations

In this paper, silver-loaded phosphorous and carbon co-doped boron nitride quantum dot (Ag@CP-BNQD) nanocomposites were synthesized using a co-precipitation method followed by a hydrothermal approach. The nanocomposites of Ag@CP-BNQDs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry. The as-prepared Ag@CP-BNQDs were used for photocatalytic degradation of 10 common organic pollutants, including dyes, pharmaceuticals, and pesticides in aqueous solution under visible light irradiation. The high-performance photocatalysis of Ag@CP-BNQDs proved that Ag@CP-BNQDs is plasmonic and the n-p junction photocatalyst. Theoretical calculations were done to measure the crystals and electronic structures of Ag@CP-BNQDs. Theoretical results showed that loading of Ag behaves as plasmonic sensitizers and co-catalysts and provides extra bands, which make electron movement easier between valance and conduction bands. The mechanism of the charge separation enhancement was postulated. Our findings might deepen our understanding of how sensitizer surface modification works in photodegradation applications.

Silver nanoparticles in dye effluent treatment: A review on synthesis, treatment methods, mechanisms, photocatalytic degradation, toxic effects and mitigation of toxicity

The current scenario of water resources shows the dominance of pollution caused by the draining of industrial effluents. The polluted waters have resulted in severe health and environmental hazards urging for a suitable alternative to resolve the implications. Various physical and chemical treatment steps currently in use for dye effluent treatment are more time consuming, cost-intensive, and less effective. Alternatively, nanoparticles due to their excellent surface properties and chemical reactivity have emerged as a better solution for dye removal and degradation. In this regard, the potential of silver nanoparticles in dye effluent treatment was greatly explored. Efforts were taken to unravel the kinetics and statistical optimization of the treatment conditions for the efficient removal of dyes. In addition, the role of silver nanocomposites has also experimented with colossal success. On the contrary, studies have also recognized the mechanisms of silver nanoparticle-mediated toxicity even at deficient concentrations and their deleterious biological effects when present in treated water. Hence, the fate of the silver nanoparticles released into the treated water and sludge, contaminating the soil, aquatic environment, and underground water is of significant concern. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding the use of silver nanoparticles and silver-based nanocomposites in effluent treatment and comprehends the recent research on mitigation of silver nanoparticle-induced toxicity.