Neem-derived silver-decorated RGO/ZnO heterostructure nanocomposite: A bifunctional material for sunlight-driven photocatalysis and solar energy conversion

In this study, neem extract was used as both reducing and capping agents in environmental production in silver/graphene/zinc oxide ternary nanocomposite (Ag/RGO/ZnO NC). Highly densed pebble-stone like Ag/ZnO crystalline nanostructures embedded with RGO sheets were identified through high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The photocatalytic activity of the green synthesized Ag/RGO/ZnO NC was evaluated by examining its efficiency in degrading Rhodamine B (RhB) under exposure to sunlight irradiation. The nanocomposite disclosed a significant photocatalytic degradation efficiency of RhB dye with 99.8% due to generation of hydroxyl radical ( ● OH), evidenced by terephthalic acid florescence study. Similarly, the dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) efficiency of the green synthesized samples also have explored under 1 sun. It was found that Ag/RGO/ZnO DSSC delivered a high power conversion efficiency of (PCE) 4.04%, that ∼45% higher than pure ZnO DSSC can be credited to the accordance of Ag and RGO, acted as electron rich, and good interfacial electron mobility. Thus, this study improves further credits to the greener fabrication of photocatalysts and dye-sensitized solar cell efficiency. • A green neem-assisted synthesis route was developed for ternary Ag/RGO/ZnO heterostructure nanocomposites. • The Ag/RGO/ZnO nanocomposite achieved 99.8% sunlight-driven photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B. • Incorporation of Ag and RGO enhanced charge separation and interfacial electron transport in ZnO. • The Ag/RGO/ZnO-based DSSC showed a PCE of 4.04%, ∼45% higher than pristine ZnO.