Decoration of a Glass Surface with AgNPs Using Thio-Derivates for Environmental Applications

Abstract

The aim of this study is to decorate a glass surface with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and further prove its efficiency in the removal of some thio-derivatives—potential pollutants from water. Therefore, grafting the surface of glass-based platforms with AgNPs will strongly influence their interaction with other substances or molecules. The most commonly used molecules for glass-based platform functionalization/modification are organosilanes. In this case, the main interest is in thioalkyl organosilanes because, after silanization, the thio (-SH) functional groups that have a high affinity for AgNPs can intermediate their binding on the surface. By decorating the glass platforms with AgNPs, these surfaces become active for the adsorption of dyes from wastewater. Certainly, in this case, the dyes must bear -SH groups to ensure a high affinity for these surfaces. Therefore, the desired purpose of this study was to develop glass-based platforms decorated with AgNPs able to bind model molecules—dyes from aqueous media (dithizone—DIT and thioindigo—TIO), with these platforms being potentially used for environmental applications.