The current work reports phytogenic synthesis of a novel silver-graphene oxide-decorated ceria nanohybrid with Morus nigra fruit extract as a green chemistry reducing and stabilizing agent. The process-free, harmful chemicals approach has the additional advantage of integrating adsorption, catalysis, and antimicrobial properties in a single platform. Characterization of the nanocomposite was performed using UV–Vis, FTIR, XRD, SEM–EDS, BET, and CO2/NH3-TPD analyses to confirm structure, morphology, surface area, and active sites of the nanohybrid. The results validated its high surface area (125.4 m2/g), mesoporous character, and well-decorated Ag and CeO2 nanoparticles on GO sheets. The Ag/CeO2/GO NC displayed exceptional adsorption capacity towards Pb2+ ions in wastewater with 98% removal at optimized conditions (pH 6, 0.5 g/50 mL, 60 min) with a Langmuir maximum adsorption capacity (qmax) of 35 mg·g−1 (R2 ≈ 0.99). Thermodynamic information indicated spontaneity and endothermicity for the process, while kinetic modeling revealed a pseudo-second-order mechanism (R2 = 0.997), suggesting chemisorption. The nanocomposite also showed 94.07% visible light-assisted photocatalytic degradation of malachite green dye under 150 min, and superior antibacterial activity. Ag leaching tests demonstrated the decline of leaching percentage from 43.7% (0.1 g) to 14.9% (0.6 g) after 24 h, with diffusion-limited release under the equilibrium-controlled regime. The study was the first to integrate a green synthesis pathway via M. nigra extract to synthesize Ag/CeO2/GO nanohybrids, achieving a multifunctional material with heavy metal removal, dye degradation, and antibacterial protection and minimal Ag leaching. The findings demonstrate that the material possesses great potential as a green platform for future wastewater treatment and eco-safety. Graphical Abstract Summary: The current work reported the green synthesis of a novel silver-graphene oxide decorated ceria nanohybrid using Morus nigra fruit extract as a green reducing and capping agent. The nanocomposite provides multifunctional activity, including efficient Pb2+ removal (98%), photocatalytic degradation of malachite green (94.1% after 150 min), antioxidant potency, and effective antibacterial activity (>95% inhibition). The schematic illustrates the synergistic roles of Ag nanoparticles, CeO2 oxygen vacancies, and GO functional groups in adsorption, decolorization of the dye, and slow release of Ag+, ensuring both eco-safety and high catalytic stability.

Phytogenic engineering of silver-graphene oxide decorated ceria nanohybrids for wastewater remediation, eco-safety, and antibacterial activity

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发表日期：

2026年3月1日

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Ghada S. Masaret,
Reem K. Shah,
Badreah A. Al Jahdaly

摘要

The current work reports phytogenic synthesis of a novel silver-graphene oxide-decorated ceria nanohybrid with Morus nigra fruit extract as a green chemistry reducing and stabilizing agent. The process-free, harmful chemicals approach has the additional advantage of integrating adsorption, catalysis, and antimicrobial properties in a single platform. Characterization of the nanocomposite was performed using UV–Vis, FTIR, XRD, SEM–EDS, BET, and CO₂/NH₃-TPD analyses to confirm structure, morphology, surface area, and active sites of the nanohybrid. The results validated its high surface area (125.4 m²/g), mesoporous character, and well-decorated Ag and CeO₂ nanoparticles on GO sheets. The Ag/CeO₂/GO NC displayed exceptional adsorption capacity towards Pb²⁺ ions in wastewater with 98% removal at optimized conditions (pH 6, 0.5 g/50 mL, 60 min) with a Langmuir maximum adsorption capacity (q_max) of 35 mg·g⁻¹ (R² ≈ 0.99). Thermodynamic information indicated spontaneity and endothermicity for the process, while kinetic modeling revealed a pseudo-second-order mechanism (R² = 0.997), suggesting chemisorption. The nanocomposite also showed 94.07% visible light-assisted photocatalytic degradation of malachite green dye under 150 min, and superior antibacterial activity. Ag leaching tests demonstrated the decline of leaching percentage from 43.7% (0.1 g) to 14.9% (0.6 g) after 24 h, with diffusion-limited release under the equilibrium-controlled regime. The study was the first to integrate a green synthesis pathway via M. nigra extract to synthesize Ag/CeO₂/GO nanohybrids, achieving a multifunctional material with heavy metal removal, dye degradation, and antibacterial protection and minimal Ag leaching. The findings demonstrate that the material possesses great potential as a green platform for future wastewater treatment and eco-safety.

Graphical Abstract

Summary: The current work reported the green synthesis of a novel silver-graphene oxide decorated ceria nanohybrid using Morus nigra fruit extract as a green reducing and capping agent. The nanocomposite provides multifunctional activity, including efficient Pb²⁺ removal (98%), photocatalytic degradation of malachite green (94.1% after 150 min), antioxidant potency, and effective antibacterial activity (>95% inhibition). The schematic illustrates the synergistic roles of Ag nanoparticles, CeO₂ oxygen vacancies, and GO functional groups in adsorption, decolorization of the dye, and slow release of Ag⁺, ensuring both eco-safety and high catalytic stability.