Green synthesis of perlite supported silver nanoparticles using Hamamelis virginiana leaf extract and investigation of its catalytic activity for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol and Congo red

•Facile and green approach to prepare Ag NPs/perlite by extract of the leaves of Hamamelis virginiana.•Ag NPs/perlite was characterized by FT-IR, XRD, FESEM, EDS and TEM.•Catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol and Congo red.•High recycling efficiency of Ag NPs/perlite in reduction reactions.

In this work, silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were loaded on the surface of perlite using Hamamelis virginiana leaf extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent. The immobilization of Ag NPs was confirmed by FT-IR, XRD, FESEM, EDS and TEM. According to TEM analysis, the average size of Ag NPs on perlite before and after the reduction reaction was in the range of 8–35 nm. The prepared Ag NPs/perlite was a highly active catalyst for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) and Congo red (CR). It can be recovered and reused several times without losing of its catalytic activity.

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