Biosynthesis of Ag/MgO nanocomposite using Acalypha hispida extract and its ability to the reduction of nitroarenes and organic dyes

Up to now many different physical and chemical methods were reported to prepare the metal nanoparticles which suffer from many disadvantages. Thus, reporting thegreen methods as cost-effective and eco-friendly processes are inevitable [1,2]. The biological methods have advantages such as very mild and clean reaction conditions,high yields, avoidance of the dangerous materials, non-toxic solvents, high pressure and temperature. Through this work, a cost effective and environment friendly method for synthesis of Ag/MgO nanocomposite was presented using Acalypha hispida extract as reducing and stabilizer agent. In this study the water was used asa green and nontoxic solvent to obtaine the plant extract. Afterward, the catalytic activity of the Ag/MgO nanocomposite was examined for reduction of methylene blue, methyl orange, 4-nitrophenol, 2,4-dinitrophenilhydrazine using NaBH4 in aqueous medium. The catalyst was characterized by TEM, FESEM, EDS and XRD.