Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Zanthoxylum Fagara L. Sarg Leaf Extract and Assessment of Their Photocatalytic Degradation Performance

The plant material–mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has drawn considerable attention because of its green nature and cost-effectiveness. Herein, we prepared AgNPs using Zanthoxylum fagara L. Sarg. leaf extract at different temperatures (50, 60, 70, and 80 °C) and investigated their structural, morphological, and photocatalytic properties using ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Photocatalytic performance was quantified in terms of methylene blue (MB) removal efficiency under irradiation (5–60 min). AgNPs synthesized at 70 °C exhibited the highest apparent removal efficiency after 60 min. UV–Vis measurements indicated that the apparent MB removal was due to decolorization and not absolute mineralization. This process was termed apparent degradation. Our findings imply that the synthesized AgNPs are well suited for dye decolorization in aqueous media. FTIR spectroscopy revealed the presence of AgNP-stabilizing functional groups. XRD analysis showed that AgNPs were crystalline in nature, and AFM and SEM showed that the spherical-shaped AgNPs and average diameter of the nanoparticles increased with increasing temperature. Our results show that Zanthoxylum fagara L. Sarg. leaf extract is an efficient reducing and stabilizing agent for AgNP production and reveals the important role of temperature in regulating the nanoparticle size and morphology, which directly influence photocatalytic behavior. Although AgNPs showed good prospects for environmental remediation practices, their quantum efficiency, extent of mineralization, and reusability were not explored and should be examined in the future to further consider environmental applicability.