Protein-exfoliation mediated molybdenum disulfide incorporated with silver nanoparticles for photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B

Application of dyes in textiles and other industries may pose a significant threat to human health and the environment. Therefore, the development of efficient photocatalyst materials for dye degradation is crucial. This study presents the synthesis of a nanocomposite comprising exfoliated molybdenum disulfide (Exf-MoS₂) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using the exfoliation method followed by the hydrothermal method for RhB dye degradation. The effects of various parameters, including catalyst type, namely, Exf-MoS₂, AgNPs-2, Exf-MoS₂/AgNPs-1, Exf-MoS₂/AgNPs-2, and Exf-MoS₂/AgNPs-3, Rhodamine B dye concentration, silver concentration within the Exf-MoS₂/AgNPs composite, catalyst amount, pH, and stability, were systematically studied. The results demonstrated photocatalytic degradation efficiencies of 68.06%, 82.47%, 88.82%, 98.60%, and 98.89% for Exf-MoS₂, AgNPs-2, Exf-MoS₂/AgNPs-1, Exf-MoS₂/AgNPs-2, and Exf-MoS₂/AgNPs-3, respectively. Surface modification of Exf-MoS₂ with AgNPs significantly enhances the photocatalytic properties of Exf-MoS₂/AgNPs due to the plasmonic effect and charge separation, revealing it as an efficient photocatalytic material for RhB dye degradation and wastewater treatment.