Fabrication of AgNi Nano-alloy-Decorated ZnO Nanocomposites as an Efficient and Novel Hybrid Catalyst to Degrade Noxious Organic Pollutants

Contamination through industrial effluents is a major threat to the environment. Degradation of organic pollutants remains a major challenge, and semiconductor-based catalysis is reported to be a viable solution. Recently, AgNi bimetallic alloy nanoparticles attracted great attention with superior properties. We report the synthesis of AgNi nanoalloy particles immobilized over the surface of ZnO hexagonal rods through an in situ chemical co-reduction process to develop a novel AgNi@ZnO nanocomposite for catalytic applications. The crystal structure, phase purity, morphology, particle size, and other properties of the as-synthesized AgNi@ZnO nanocomposite were scrutinized using powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, multipoint Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, and transmission electron microscopy. The composite exhibits excellent catalytic activity toward the reduction of nitroarenes and environment polluting organic dyes. The synthesized nanocomposite shows enhanced catalytic activity with an incredible reaction rate constant, noticeable low degradation time, and greater stability. The catalyst is easily recyclable and exhibits consecutive catalytic cycle usage.