Vol. 8, Issue 6 (2019)

Author(s):
P Pon Matheswari, J Ilavarasi Jeyamalar and R Nandini Asha

Abstract:
Silver, copper and zirconium dioxide nanoparticle have been synthesized from green method by reducing corresponding salt using Spicy Jatropha flower extract as a reducing agent at room temperature in an aqueous medium. The instant formation of above metal nanoparticle (MNPs) was analyzed by visual observation and UV-Visible spectrophotometer. Further, the synthesized MNPs were characterized by FT-IR and XRD. These nanoparticles have been used as a catalyst for the degradation of malachite green (MG) in the presence of sodium borohydride (NaBH₄). Silver nanoparticles have a drastic catalytic effect as compared to copper or zirconium dioxide nanoparticles on the degradation of malachite Green in the presence of sodium borohydride. From the kinetic data it is concluded that the rate constant follows the order: k_AgNPs> k_CuNPs> k_ZrO2NPs> k_{uncatalyzed reaction}.