Optimized conditions for phytoinspired fabrication of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and exploring their photo- and chemocatalytic routes of methylene blue (MB) dye degradation

AgNPs are one of the widely investigated metallic NPs (MNPs) for potential applications in areas like medicine, electronics, agriculture, energy, environment, etc. The introduction of green nanotechnology allows for the ecofriendly synthesis of AgNPs utilizing biological sources such as plants, algae, bacteria, and fungi. Among them, plants are one of the preferred sources owing to diverse bioactive molecules present in phytoextracts that can act as potential reducing, capping, and stabilizing agents in the green synthesis of NPs. Here, we review the recent research on phytomediated AgNPs, including optimized synthesis conditions leading to stabilized NPs with desired structural and surface properties. An important area where phytoinspired AgNPs are investigated is the treatment of wastewater contaminated with textile effluent discharge containing recalcitrant azo dyes such as MB. The present review discusses the application of phytofabricated AgNPs in MB dye degradation via photo- and chemocatalytic routes. In particular, the mechanistic insights, operational conditions favoring rapid dye degradation, reusability of AgNPs and assessment of their toxicity, and future research directives in this area have been reported. The present study contributes to our understanding of newest developments in sustainable MB dye degradation assisted by phytoinspired AgNPs.

Automated summary

Phytoinspired AgNPs are an important method for synthesizing nanoparticles, with applications in areas such as wastewater treatment and demonstrating high efficiency.