CHAPTER 8

CONCLUSION AND SUMMARY

Metal and metal oxide nanomaterials doped with activated carbon have attracted

intensive materials due to their excellent electronic, magnetic, catalytic, optical, thermal,

mechanical properties compared with their undoped materials. The eco-friendly, high-effective

catalyst, greater surface area, and cost-effectiveness of ternary nanocomposites attracted the

interest of the scientific community. The aim of the work was to synthesize and characterize

pure metal and metal oxide doped activated carbon nanocomposites. The Co-precipitation and

hydrothermal methods was used to synthesize pure and composite nanoparticles. The pure and

composite material was characterized using XRD, FT-IR, UV-Visible spectroscopy, SEM with

EDX, and HR-TEM. The crystalline nature, phase, and average crystallite size values were

observed from XRD analysis. The functional groups present in the nanoparticles were

identified through FT-IR spectroscopy. The optical properties and band gap values were

calculated from UV-visible absorbance spectra and the Tauc plot—the elemental composition

analysis through EDX spectrum. The morphology analysis was carried out using SEM and HR-

TEM analysis.

TiO2 NPs synthesized by green synthesis and hydrothermal method (chemical method).

During the synthesis process, the color changes confirm the reduction of bulk titanium to TiO2

nanoparticles. XRD pattern reveals the anatase phase of titanium dioxide nanoparticles. SEM

and TEM images reveal that a uniform spherical shape surface morphology with poly

dispersive nanoparticles. Chemically synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles exhibit a lesser band gap

value of 2.09 eV. The EDX spectra confirm the purity of nanoparticles. Antibacterial activity

of TiO2 NPs was tested against bacterial pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus (gram-

positive bacteria), Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia (gram-negative bacteria).

127
Compared to chemical synthesis, plant extract-mediated TiO2 shows maximum degradation

efficiency of 89 % and results in excellent antibacterial activity. The suggested results have

inferred that the property of TiO2 nanoparticles is suited for biomedical and wastewater

treatment (dye degradation) applications.

The chemical reduction process was used to synthesize silver nanoparticles. Jasmine

flower extract acts as a capping and reducing agent. Color changes from yellowish-green to

brown were visualized using naked eyes. XRD pattern reveals highly crystalline silver

nanoparticles with an average crystalline size of 22 nm. SEM and TEM images reveal

nanofiber shaped silver nanoparticles with no more agglomeration. The optical absorption

spectra of colloidal solution occur due to surface plasmon resonance. Silver nanoparticles show

a maximum degradation efficiency of 72 % at the end of 2 hrs. Silver nanoparticles act as a

low-cost nanocatalyst to degrade methylene blue through photocatalysis. Investigated silver

nanoparticles are used in biomedical as well as environmental applications, especially in dye

degradation. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles in composition with jasmine flower served

as an efficient, cost-effective and promising candidate for photocatalytic degradation of dyes.

The activated carbon was synthesized by hydrothermal carbonization process, via

jasmine flower as biomass. The XRD pattern reveals the hexagonal graphite phase of carbon.

The functional groups present in activated carbon were identified using FT-IR spectroscopy.

SEM and TEM revealed the formation of agglomerated and irregular-shaped nanoparticles.

From UV spectra, the optical absorbance takes place at 249 nm. Energy band gap values of

activated carbon at different annealing temperature results 2.04 eV, 2.00 eV, and 1.97 eV

(400oC, 500oC and 600oC) respectively. The maximum photocatalytic degradation was

obtained at 94 % for MB under the visible light irradiation technique. As prepared, activated

carbon results in excellent antibacterial activity. From the observed results as prepared

128
activated carbon material is highly applicable for wastewater treatment and environmental

application.

Ag/TiO2 nanocomposite was successfully synthesized by hydrothermal method using

titanium isopropoxide as precursor material. The XRD pattern of Ag/TiO2 nanocomposite

shows the face centered cubic structure of silver and anatase phase TiO2. Nanofiber shaped

morphology was obtained from SEM and TEM analysis. Ag/TiO2 nanocomposite exhibits the

bandgap energy of 2.5 eV. Ag/TiO2 nanocomposite results maximum degradation efficiency

of 94 % for 0.02 mg/mL concentration of catalyst. The enhancement in photodegradation

efficiency may be due to lesser crystalline size, particle size, and lesser electron-hole

recombination rate. Ag/TiO2 nanocomposite results in effective antibacterial activity against

gram-positive and negative bacteria. Thus, the prepared Ag/TiO2 nanocomposite material may

serve as a promising application in wastewater treatment, electrical and biomedical

applications.

The hydrothermal method was used to synthesize AC/Ag/TiO2 nanocomposite.

Crystalline nature was confirmed using the XRD pattern and spotted rings in the SAED pattern.

The functional group was identified using the FT-IR spectrum. The EDX spectrum shows as-

prepared material is contamination-free. The prepared nanocomposite material reveals a flake-

like structure. The biosynthesis method used in the study has vast advantages like cost-

effective, less toxicity, eco-friendly, and highly bio safety. Furthermore, prepared

nanocomposite results in excellent antibacterial against clinically critical bacterial pathogens

and exhibits superior photocatalytic activity. The prepared composite material is highly

applicable for environmental wastewater treatment, dye removal, drug delivery, and food

packages.

129
 FUTURE WORK

The present study may be expanded to incorporate the following recommended concepts

due to the advantages of low cost, simple production, non-toxicity, and photocatalytic activity

of ternary composites:

• Other hazardous dyes and industrial pollutants will be degraded in the visible region,

bringing the work from the laboratory to the industrial scale.

• To investigate the photocatalytic activity by varying different annealing temperatures and

different concentrations of dopant.

130