Completely green synthesis of silver nanoparticle decorated MWCNT and its antibacterial and catalytic properties

We herein report a simple large scale green synthesis route for the synthesis of silver nanoparticle (Ag-NP) multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) hybrid nanocomposite (Ag-MWCNTs). The as-synthesized hybrid nanocomposite were characterized using UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). Raman spectroscopy analysis showed an increase in the D/G ratio of Ag-MWCNTs hybrid nanocomposites when compare with that of functionalized MWCNTs (F-MWCNTs) attributed to the presence of Ag-NPs on the surface of the F-MWCNTs. The as-synthesized Ag-MWCNTs nanocomposites showed strong antibacterial efficacy against Escherichia coli compared to the Ag-NPs and MWCNTs. The catalytic potential of the Ag-MWCNTs hybrid nanocomposite was investigated for the first time by studying the reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol in the presence of sodium borohydride at 299 K at various reaction times. The reaction follows first order kinetics with a rate constant of 5.18×10^-1 s^-1. It is believed that, the large scale synthesis of such hybrid nanocomposites via simple method using non-toxic reagent will not only enhance its antibacterial efficacy, durability and biocompatibility, it will also minimize its biotoxcity and environmental impacts.