Bifunctional titanium boron-phosphate glass containing Ag nanoparticles for the detection and photocatalysis of organic compounds

This study delves into the structural characterization of a composition comprising Ag-NPs/phosphate plasmonic glass. Additionally, it explores two applications aimed at addressing one of the numerous challenges facing the modern world. The continuous technological progress of society has led to the proliferation of chemicals in natural water sources, posing a significant threat to ecosystems due to their low concentrations, making them difficult to detect and remove. The findings presented herein showcase the potential of Ag-NPs/sodium/titanium-phosphate glasses as a promising solution for detecting and degrading organic pollutants in freshwater. To achieve this, Ag nanoparticles were integrated into the glass surface via the ion exchange method, followed by thermal treatment. Subsequently, the detection of crystal violet solutions, applied dropwise onto the sample surface, was successfully carried out using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, reaching a detection limit as low as 10−6 M. Furthermore, the glass composition demonstrated heterogeneous photocatalytic properties for UV degradation of methylene blue, with enhanced photoactivity attributed to the presence of silver nanoparticles, resulting in a 111 % increase in the kinetic constant compared to unmodified glass. Thus, these newly developed Ag-NPs sodium titanium-phosphate glasses exhibit remarkable bifunctional capabilities, offering improved optical detection and efficient photodegradation of organic molecules.