Green synthesis of the Ag/Al2O3 nanoparticles using Bryonia alba leaf extract and their catalytic application for the degradation of organic pollutants

In our present work, for the first time we reported an easy, inexpensive and eco-friendly method for the preparation of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) supported on nano aluminum oxide (Al2O3) using Bryonia alba leaf extract. The plant extract as a mild, renewable, non-toxic reducing and stabilizing agent has an important role in anchoring of Ag NPs on the nano Al2O3. The formation of Ag/Al2O3 NPs were proved through FT-IR, XRD, TEM, EDS and FE-SEM. The catalytic activity of the Ag/Al2O3 NPs has been tested as an affective and heterogeneous catalyst for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP), 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine(2,4-DNPH) and degradation of the congo red (CR), methyl orange (MO), methylene blue (MB) and Rhodamine B (RhB) in the presence of sodium borohydride (NaBH4) at room temperature. The catalyst can be recovered and recycled multiple times without losing of activity.