Cinnamon extract-mediated green synthesis of acacia gum-functionalized Ag/Co/V₂O₅ nanocomposites: characterization,...

Multifunctional green-engineered nanomaterials with high catalytic efficiency and environmental safety are highly desired for effective wastewater treatment. In the present work, for the first time, we have synthesized a ternary nanocomposite of Ag, Co, and V₂O₅ using cinnamon extract as a green medium with high catalytic efficiency and environmental safety. The synthesized nanocomposites have a defect-rich, mesoporous, highly crystalline system with enhanced colloidal stability and synergistic adsorption-degradation performance. The procedure leverages the reducing/catalytic chelation properties offered by phytoconstitients derived from plants and the biopolymer capping agent AG to form a stable organic-inorganic nanocomposite material incorporating Ag, Co, V₂O₅, and AG. Extensive material analysis using several techniques, namely, XPS, FTIR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, XRD, BET analysis, zeta potential measurement, SEM, TEM, SAED, and element mapping analysis, has verified the successful formation of a defect-rich, mesoporous, and highly crystalline Ag/Co/V₂O₅/AG system with enhanced surface functionality and colloidal stability. The AG-functionalized nanocomposite exhibited a high BET surface area of 115.4 m² g^-1, mesoporous architecture, and improved surface charge (-26.10 mV), directly correlating with superior adsorption-catalytic performance. The material demonstrated efficient crystal violet (CV) removal exceeding 93%, governed by pseudo-second-order kinetics (R² = 0.994) and predominantly monolayer adsorption behavior (Langmuir R² = 0.992, q_max = 66.7 mg g^-1). These thermodynamic studies have further affirmed its spontaneity (ΔG° = -3.39 to -8.59 kJ/mol), endothermic nature (ΔH° = +48.3 kJ/mol), and entropy-driven phenomena. More importantly, eco-safe analysis showed negligible Ag leaching of less than 0.24% and controlled release of cobalt, and its pH-dependent stability analysis proved its sustainability at all ranges of pH values. The improved decolorization efficiency is primarily related to its synergistic adsorption-degradation ability through electrostatic forces, π-π interaction, surface complexation, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) assays on Ag/Co/V₂O₅ active sites. This work introduces a biopolymer-stabilized, eco-safe, and high-performance nanocomposite platform, offering a sustainable and scalable solution for dye-contaminated wastewater remediation.