Ag/ZnO nano-structures synthesized by single-step solution combustion approach for the photodegradation of Cibacron Red and Triclopyr

In the current work, an energy-efficient solution combustion route is adopted to synthesize silver-modified ZnO nanomaterials having 1, 3, 5, and 7 mol% of silver content. The samples were characterized by different techniques to uncover the morphology, crystallinity, chemical state, and optical properties. The thermally stable, well-crystalline wurtzite phase of ZnO and cubic phase of silver was obtained in the synthesized samples. It was found that due to the surface plasmon resonance effect of silver there is an enhancement in the light absorption after the introduction of Ag in ZnO. Photocatalytic performances of all samples are analyzed by taking Cibacron Red and Triclopyr as model pollutants. It is observed that due to the surface plasmon resonance effect and formation of oxygen vacancies, Ag–ZnO nanomaterials containing 7 mol% silver content showed the highest activity for both pollutants under UV illumination. The photoluminescence technique is used to detect the recombination of photoinduced charged species. The samples showed superior activity in the neutral medium as compared to the acidic and basic medium. The synthesized materials are highly beneficial for the energy-efficient removal of pollutants from the environment.