Efficient synthesis of catalytic active silver nanoparticles illuminated cerium oxide nanotube: A mussel inspired approach

A facile eco-friendly track is revealed for synthesis of quasi-spherical silver nanoparticles on the surface of mussel-inspired poly (epinephrine) coated synthesized CeO₂ nanotubes, in which dual functional polymer act as reducing and capping agent. The fabricated nanocatalyst is well characterized by electron microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. Nanorange spherical in-situ grown AgNPs on nanotubes based solid support catalyst can mitigate toxic water pollutants within minimal time. The activity of the nanocatalyst has been tested on model 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) and methylene blue (MB) reduction. The rate constant of catalytic reduction of 4-NP and MB was measured to be 8.75 × 10⁻³ s^-1 and 5.88 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹ respectively which is much higher than other previously reported catalytic nanostructured. Both toxic pollutants can be catalytically converted above 90 % into fruitful products within limited time span. The study of reusability proved high robustness of the catalytic nanostructured and added an extra crown over its. The simple fabrication process and enhanced catalytic activity of nanoreactor make it suitable candidate in the field of catalyst, which can open up a new era in designing sustainable catalyst in wide range of reactions.