Photo-catalytic activity of Plasmonic Ag@AgCl nanoparticles (synthesized via a green route) for the effective degradation of Victoria Blue B from aqueous phase

• Development of an environmentally benign synthesis of Ag@AgCl nanoparticles
• Spherical Ag@AgCl nanoparticles were obtained using Aquilaria Agallocha leave juice.
• Biomolecules in Aquilaria Agallocha leaves juice act as reducing and capping agent.
• Synthesized Ag@AgCl nanoparticles were characterized by TEM, EDX, UV, XRD and FTIR.
• Ag@AgCl nanoparticles act as potent photocatalyst in degradation of Victoria Blue B.

This study reports a green process for the fabrication of Ag@AgCl (silver@silver chloride) nanoparticles by using Aquilaria agallocha (AA) leaves juice without using any external reagents. The effect of various reaction parameters, such as reaction temperature, reaction time and concentration of Aquilaria agallocha leaves juice in the formation of nanoparticles have also been investigated. From the FTIR spectra of leaves juice and phytochemicals test, it was found that flavonoids present in the leaves are responsible for the reduction of Ag+ ions to Ag0 species and leads to the formation of Ag@AgCl NPs. The synthesized Ag@AgCl NPs were utilized for the removal of toxic and hazardous dyes, such as Victoria Blue B from aqueous phase. Approximately, 99.46% degradation of Victoria Blue B dye were observed with Ag@AgCl NPs. Furthermore, the photocatalytic activity of the Ag@AgCl nanoparticles was unchanged after 5 cycles of operation.