Green synthesis of perlite supported silver nanoparticles using Hamamelis virginiana leaf extract and investigation of its catalytic activity for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol and Congo red

In this work, silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were loaded on the surface of perlite using Hamamelis virginiana leaf extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent. The immobilization of Ag NPs was confirmed by FT-IR, XRD, FESEM, EDS and TEM. According to TEM analysis, the average size of Ag NPs on perlite before and after the reduction reaction was in the range of 8-35 nm. The prepared Ag NPs/perlite was a highly active catalyst for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) and Congo red (CR). It can be recovered and reused several times without losing of its catalytic activity. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.