Process optimization for biosynthesis of mono and bimetallic alloy nanoparticle catalysts for degradation of dyes in individual and ternary mixture

Nanoparticle (NP) catalysts are widely used for removal of dyes for single use, but there is an acute need for developing catalysts with high efficiency and reusability for mixed dyes. Here we first optimized the process (reactant proportion, temperature, time, and pH) for biosynthesis of monometallic Ag, Au and bimetallic Au–Ag alloy NP catalysts using Polyalthia longifolia leaf extract. The biosynthesized NP catalysts were characterized by UV-vis, DLS, Zeta potential, TEM and EDX study while the probable biomolecules responsible for biosynthesis were identified by FTIR and GC-MS/MS analysis. The NPs are found to be mostly spherical in shape (size 5–20 nm) with prolonged stability. We evaluated their chemo-catalytic performance through degradation of dyes (methyl orange, methyl violet, methylene blue) in individual and ternary mixture in presence of NaBH(4). The degradation percentage (80.06–96.59% within 5 min), degradation kinetics (k = 0.361–1.518 min(–1)), half-life (T(50) = 0.457–1.920 min) and 80% degradation (T(80) = 1.060–4.458 min) of dyes indicated highest catalytic activity of alloy in ternary mixture. Here we report a unique vacuum filtration system using alloy coated beads with excellent catalytic activity which could be reused thrice for removal of hazardous ternary mixed dyes with great promise for environmental remediation.