Phytosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using rhizome extract of Alpinia officinarum and their photocatalytic removal of dye under UV and visible light irradiation

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were successfully synthesized using rhizome extract of Alpinia officinarum (AO) through an eco-friendly green route. The prepared silver nanoparticles (AO-AgNPs) were characterized by a relevant intense surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band at 468 nm measured by UV–vis spectrophotometry. The SPR peaks clearly indicate the formation of silver nanoparticles. The crystalline nature of AgNPs was examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), and field emission transmission electron microscopy (FE-TEM) analysis showed their shape to be hexagonal with some agglomeration generating different shapes. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was employed to determine the functional groups and capping agents of the synthesized silver nanoparticles. A comparison study investigated the photodegradation activity of synthesized AO-AgNPs on malachite green (MG) and methylene blue (MB) dyes under UV and visible light irradiation. The comparative study results revealed that the biosynthesized AO-AgNPs are a potential biomaterial for use as an effective catalyst to remedy environmental pollution.