Application of silver nanoparticles in the degradation of Methylene Blue dye

In this work, the methylene blue dye was degraded from an aqueous solution using silver nanoparticles. The silver nanoparticles were investigated by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Zeta Potential, Particle Size Analysis and UV-Visible spectroscopy. The samples were found to be active and to contain silver nanoparticles as indicated by the absorbance peak observed at approximately 420 nm. The size distribution analysis using PSA confirmed that the sample is in the nano range with an average particle size of 47 nm. Zeta potential confirms the dispersion, colloidal characteristics and stability of the nanoparticle. Zeta potential showed a strong negative value, indicating that the silver nanoparticles are stable and suitable for use in additional experiments. The FTIR analysis also revealed active peaks, indicating the presence of active bonds in the sample that can interact with the methylene blue dye to decolorize it. After six hours of incubation, the nanoparticles successfully adsorbed three milligrams per liter of methylene blue dye.