Evaluation of the Photocatalytic Efficiency of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized by Green Chemistry in the Degradation of Methyl Orange
4 affiliations
- 1Academia de Física, Instituto Politécnico Nacional-ESIQIE, Edif. 6, Mexico City 07738, Mexico
- 2Academia de Química Analítica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional-ESIQIE, Edif. Z6, Mexico City 07738, Mexico
- 3Departamento de Ingeniería en Metalurgia, Instituto Politécnico Nacional-ESIQIE, Mexico City 07738, Mexico
- 4Laboratorio de Robótica y Mecatrónica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional-CIC-IPN, Mexico City 07738, Mexico
Abstract
The release of methyl orange (MO) into bodies of water represents a serious environmental problem due to its chemical stability, toxicity, and persistence. To address this issue, this work presents the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using natural extracts of rose leaves (RL), rose petals of the pink Castile rose (PCR), and common yellow rose petals (YRP) as reducing agents. The formation of the AgNPs was confirmed by ultraviolet–visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy through the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) band and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) obtaining sizes smaller than 15 nm, while FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of phenols, flavonoids, and proteins, which are suggested by spectral shifts to act as reducing and stabilizing agents. After optimizing the synthesis, the AgNPs were supported on gamma-alumina (γ-Al2O3). Gamma-alumina is characterized by a large surface area and high chemical and thermal stability; it inhibits nanoparticle agglomeration, thereby significantly improving electron-hole pair separation in photocatalytic processes, ultimately forming AgNPs/γ-Al2O3 photocatalysts. The activity of these composites was evaluated in the degradation of MO under UV irradiation (254 nm) and white light LED (380–750 nm). The catalysts demonstrated a dye removal trend, achieving degradation efficiencies under ultraviolet light of 4.94% (RL), 24.69% (YRP), and 60.49% (PCR); these figures increased under white LED light to 43.21% (RL), 64.20% (YRP), and 76.54% (PCR) after 60 min. It is hypothesized that this enhanced performance under visible light arises from mechanisms driven by reactive oxygen species (ROS) boosted by the LSPR effect, as has been documented in similar plasmonic systems. It is concluded that these supported photocatalysts constitute an environmentally friendly, sustainable, and alternative for wastewater treatment.
Related
- Marine Macroalga-Mediated Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Ulva reticulata for Sunlight-Assisted Photocatalytic Degradation of Synthetic Dyes
- Comparative analysis of ZnO, MgO and CuO nanoparticles (NPs) in the photocatalytic degradation of methyl red: An experimental and COMSOL-based study
- Electrochemical and Catalytic Efficiency of Green-Synthesized Fe, Ti, and Mixed Fe–Ti Nanoparticles
- Green synthesis of SnO2 nanoparticles using Brassica oleracea leaf extract for dual-functional photocatalytic degradation of Malachite Green and adsorptive removal of Pb(II) and Cr(VI)
- Photocatalytic performance and surface characterization of plant-mediated ZnO nanoparticles for methylene blue degradation
BibTeX
@article{madrigal2026evaluation,
title = {{Evaluation of the Photocatalytic Efficiency of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized by Green Chemistry in the Degradation of Methyl Orange}},
author = {José Antonio Barraza Madrigal and Jesús Israel Guzmán Castañeda and Diana Hernández Bautista and Karla Jenny Lozano Rojas and Manuela Díaz Cruz and Elsa Rubio Espino},
journal = {Molecules},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/molecules31203672},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/31/20/3672},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Evaluation of the Photocatalytic Efficiency of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized by Green Chemistry in the Degradation of Methyl Orange
AU - José Antonio Barraza Madrigal
AU - Jesús Israel Guzmán Castañeda
AU - Diana Hernández Bautista
AU - Karla Jenny Lozano Rojas
AU - Manuela Díaz Cruz
AU - Elsa Rubio Espino
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - Molecules
DO - 10.3390/molecules31203672
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/31/20/3672
AB - The release of methyl orange (MO) into bodies of water represents a serious environmental problem due to its chemical stability, toxicity, and persistence. To address this issue, this work presents the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using natural extracts of rose leaves (RL), rose petals of the pink Castile rose (PCR), and common yellow rose petals (YRP) as reducing agents. The formation of the AgNPs was confirmed by ultraviolet–visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy through the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) band and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) obtaining sizes smaller than 15 nm, while FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of phenols, flavonoids, and proteins, which are suggested by spectral shifts to act as reducing and stabilizing agents. After optimizing the synthesis, the AgNPs were supported on gamma-alumina (γ-Al2O3). Gamma-alumina is characterized by a large surface area and high chemical and thermal stability; it inhibits nanoparticle agglomeration, thereby significantly improving electron-hole pair separation in photocatalytic processes, ultimately forming AgNPs/γ-Al2O3 photocatalysts. The activity of these composites was evaluated in the degradation of MO under UV irradiation (254 nm) and white light LED (380–750 nm). The catalysts demonstrated a dye removal trend, achieving degradation efficiencies under ultraviolet light of 4.94% (RL), 24.69% (YRP), and 60.49% (PCR); these figures increased under white LED light to 43.21% (RL), 64.20% (YRP), and 76.54% (PCR) after 60 min. It is hypothesized that this enhanced performance under visible light arises from mechanisms driven by reactive oxygen species (ROS) boosted by the LSPR effect, as has been documented in similar plasmonic systems. It is concluded that these supported photocatalysts constitute an environmentally friendly, sustainable, and alternative for wastewater treatment.
SN - 1420-3049
ER -