Photocatalytic Degradation Studies of Indigo Carmine Dye by Green-Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles from Theobroma cacao Extracts

The breakdown of dyes poses a considerable problem due to their enduring and resilient characteristics; as a result, creating materials with suitable properties for dye decomposition is a crucial research focus. This investigation involved the production of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) using eco-friendly synthesis methods and non-toxic Theobroma cacao extract. The synthesized Ag NPs were examined using various analytical techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and UV-visible spectroscopy. XRD analysis indicated that the produced Ag NPs had highly pure crystalline structures. SEM examination revealed that the nanoparticles, observed at different magnifications, displayed a coarse surface texture with imperfections like fissures or cavities. FTIR spectroscopy was utilized to determine the chemical compounds coating the Ag NPs. TEM analysis showed an average particle size of 28.516 nm. The BET method determined that the synthesized nanoparticles had a surface area of 552.638 m²/g and a pore diameter of 2.105 nm. The study also explored the photocatalytic performance of the Ag nanoparticles in degrading indigo carmine dye under UV light exposure. According to the results, Ag NPs exhibited a maximum removal efficiency of 80.2% in 75 min. This demonstrated that the synthesized Ag nanoparticles possess strong potential for application as photocatalysts to rapidly degrade industrial dyes in water treatment.