Ag/CN/GO-loaded polysaccharide gel beads as efficient and recyclable catalysts for visible-light photodegradation of crystal violet

Silver ion (Ag + ) crosslinked CN/GO loaded carrageenan/alginate binary polysaccharide gel beads were first prepared as a heterogeneous photocatalyst. After reducing the crosslinked Ag + to Ag 0 under ultraviolet light, the Ag/CN/GO-GB catalyst was obtained and used for photodegradation of Crystal Violet (CV) under visible light. When the CN load content is 0.015 g, the Ag/CN/GO-GB 1.5 composite has the highest degradation rate (99%) for CV in 60 min, which is 2 times that of CN. This high photodegradation rate is attributed to the excellent adsorption capacity of the polysaccharide to CV and the synergistic effect between Ag, CN and GO. In addition, the gel bead catalyst is easy to separate after use, which has important practical significance. This work opens up new ideas for ion-crosslinked polysaccharide gel beads and may inspire subsequent research. • Fabrication of silver ion crosslinked polysaccharide gel beads for the photodegradation of Crystal Violet. • Silver ions (Ag +) are reduced to silver nanoparticles (Ag 0 ) under UV light, enhancing the catalytic activity. • Synergistic effect between Ag, CN, and GO enhances photocatalytic degradation efficiency. • 99% degradation rate of Crystal Violet within 60 min, with excellent catalytic stability across five cycles. • Easy catalyst separation after use, making it highly recyclable with significant practical applications.