Synthesis and characterization of graphene nanoplates supported silver nanoparticles with enhanced photocatalytic activity

Graphene nanoplates supported silver nanoparticles (GNPs/Ag) were prepared from their precursors via chemical precipitation method, where GNPs were used as support for Ag NPs. GNPs/Ag were characterized by various instrumental techniques like scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) and FT-IR, while the photodegradation study of methyl violet were performed using UV/Vis spectrophotometer. The morphological study shows that the Ag NPs are present in well-dispersed form on the surface of GNPs. The synthesis of Ag NPs is also confirmed by EDX and FT-IR study. The peaks appeared in XRD pattern are in good agreement with that of face-centered cubic form of metallic Ag. Both GNPs/Ag and Ag NPs were used as photocatalyst for the photodegradation of methyl violet (MV) under UV light irradiation. The results illustrated that the GNPs/Ag degraded about 97% dye, while unsupported degraded 73% of dye within 30 min. The influence of different factors like initial dye concentration, pH, catalyst dosage and activity of recovered catalyst were studied.