Sunlight-Activated Photocatalytic Degradation of Azo Dyes Using Talipariti tiliaceum L.-Mediated Silver Nano-Photocatalyst: A Sustainable Approach to Environmental Remediation

The main emphasis of the current study is to develop an eco-friendly method for producing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using an aqueous flower extract from Talipariti tiliaceum L., and to evaluate the photocatalytic degradation of azo dyes. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized using various spectroscopical and microscopical methods. The photocatalytic capacity of AgNPs was assessed through the degradation of methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO) dye under solar irradiation. The results revealed that the AgNPs were spherical in morphology and 4–15 nm in size. The phytochemical analysis showed that the bioactive compounds from the flower extract aided in the reduction of silver ions to nanoparticles. Both visual observations and spectroscopic methods confirmed the photocatalytic degradation of MB and MO dyes. The degradation processes adhered to a pseudo-first-order kinetic model, demonstrating that photocatalytic activity is time-dependent. In addition, the AgNPs demonstrated stability and reusability through four consecutive cycles with little decline in efficiency. This research contributes significantly to sustainable nanotechnology, offering a practical solution for mitigating water pollution caused by industrial dye discharges.