Abstract
This paper demonstrates a rapid, facile, and cost-effective protocol for the synthesis of highly stable and small silver nanosheets (AgNSHs) through the reducing and capping ability of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) in aqueous medium. Characterization of PVA-AgNPs was performed via ultra-violet
visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometry (XRD). UV-Vis spectrometry exhibits that AgNSHs have a plasmon resonance band at 400 nm. SEM study showed that Ag was transformed into petal like NSHs
with average thickness of 12 nm while XRD displays the face centered cubic (FCC) structures for AgNSHs under the polymer matrix. The FTIR spectral study proves the interaction of AgNSHs with oxidized PVA in -O-Ag form. The NSHs were stable for a period of more than two months. Synthesized
PVA-AgNSHs were used as catalysts for degradation of methyl orange (MO) in standard solutions as well as industrial wastewater. The catalytic efficiency of Nano catalysts was more than 95% within very short time interval. The kinetics of catalytic activity of PVA-AgNSHs for MO dye degradation
is unique and faster than other reports for dye degradation and therefore very beneficial for practical application is specific areas.