Poly(vinyl alcohol)-based composite film with Ag-immobilized TEMPO-oxidized nano-tea cellulose for improving photocatalytic performance

In the present study, we report a simple and eco-friendly method for the synthesis and immobilization of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) onto functional films using green tea extract as a reducing and capping agent. The freestanding flexible immobilized AgNPs composite was obtained from a 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical (TEMPO)-mediated tea cellulose (TTC) process. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed the homogeneous coating of the AgNPs on the surface of the TTC nanofibers. Ag-TTC-poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) composite film was prepared through a simple solvent casting method, which displayed higher antioxidant activity than the TTC-PVA film, and the rate of release of Ag was reduced owing to the immobilized AgNPs. The photocatalytic performance of Ag-TTC-PVA composite film was evaluated along with the investigations of the optical transparency, morphology, and thermal properties. Ag-TTC-PVA composite film showed enhanced photocatalytic property than TTC-PVA film. This study presents a simple approach for the green synthesis of materials with controlled leakage based on Ag-TTC-PVA composite film, which has good potential application prospects in the development for the photocatalytic degradation of certain toxic dyes, thereby paving the way for waste treatment.