One-Pot Synthesized rGO–AgNP Nanocomposites for Sunlight-Assisted Removal of Coomassie Brilliant Blue: Kinetics, Isotherm and Antimicrobial Application

Textile industry is one of the reason for the major cause of environmental pollution all over the world, they release unwanted dye effluents. This study describes the synthesis of a combined nanocomposite of reduced graphene and silver nanoparticles oxide (rGO-AgNP) from the aqueous extract of Cucurbita moschata peel by simultaneous reduction of graphene oxide and silver ions. The synthesized nanocomposite (rGO-AgNP) were characterized using UV–Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The antibacterial activity of rGO-AgNP nanocomposite were tested against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria strains, which ensures enhanced antibacterial efficacy. This green synthesized nanocomposite act as a photocatalytic agent or adsorbent for dye removal thereby plays a major role in wastewater treatment. Adsorption efficiency of synthesized nanocomposite was studied by using coomassie brilliant blue dye. The different parameters that influence the dye removal efficiency such as effect of adsorbent dosage, time, pH and light source were investigated. The good adsorbent recovery and its great efficiency for cyclic use shows that it is an economically and environment friendly photocatalyst. The final outcome determines the synthesized rGO-AgNP nanocomposite are very effectual in removal of dye and have a great effect on wastewater treatment. The novelty of the research work lies in the synergistic design of the rGO–AgNP nanocomposite and its dual mechanism with adsorption and photocatalysis, which offers a sustainable and energy-efficient system for the dye removal process.