Green Synthesis of Ag/ATP Catalysts Using Clove Extract for Formaldehyde Elimination

Abstract

Compared with other methods, the synthesis of metal nanoparticles by metal ion reduction using plant extracts as raw materials has the advantages of low cost, simple synthesis and environmental friendliness, and has garnered significant attention. To achieve this effect, in the form of green synthetic nano silver (AgNP), we mixed AgNO3 with attapulgite (ATP) and stirred it with clove plant extract at 80 °C. By changing the dosage of clove extract, a series of new samples were prepared by the same method. The shape and size of the synthesized silver nanoparticles on catalysts were visualized by transmission electron microscope (TEM) observations. The particle size of the optimally prepared nanoparticles ranges from 1 to 9 nm with spherical or roughly spherical forms. The inductively coupled plasma (ICP) results further demonstrated the reducing effect of clove extract on Ag. Increasing the amount of clove extract could promote the formation and loading of Ag on ATP. An outstanding catalytic performance of Ag/ATP under HCHO outperformed that synthesized without clove extract. With the addition of clove extract, the catalytic performance was enhanced by more than 40% compared to no addition. Among different nanoparticles, the catalytic oxidation activity of HCHO was best when the volume ratio of clove extract to Ag was 10:1. Therefore, the green synthesis of Ag/ATP catalysts using clove extracts can be considered an environmentally benign, superior approach.