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Bimetallic p-ZnO/n-CuO nanocomposite synthesized using Aegle marmelos leaf extract exhibits excellent visible-light-driven photocatalytic removal of 4-nitroaniline and methyl orange

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Abstract

In the current study, the photocatalytic activity of bimetallic ZnO–CuO hetero-nanocomposite was evaluated and compared with the monometallic ZnO and CuO nanoparticles using 4-nitroaniline (4-NA) and methyl orange (MO). Bimetallic ZnO–CuO hetero-nanocomposite, ZnO, and CuO nanostructure were synthesized utilizing leaf extract of Aegle marmelos and characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and XPS. Benefiting from the p–n heterostructures formation, bimetallic ZnO–CuO hetero-nanocomposite exhibits an excellent photocatalytic activity against 4-NA as well as MO compared to pure ZnO and CuO. In particular, bimetallic ZnO–CuO hetero-nanocomposite expressed the highest photocatalytic activity by reducing 90% of 4-NA in 20 min and by degrading 96% of MO in 10 min, whereas 65% reduction of 4-NA in 30 min and 93% degradation of MO in 45 min was exhibited by CuO and 48% reduction of 4-NA in 30 min and 98% degradation of MO in 50 min was exhibited by ZnO. Moreover, bimetallic ZnO–CuO hetero-nanocomposite maintains excellent photocatalytic activity even after five cycles indicating its stability as photocatalyst and reusability. Based on the experimental findings, bimetallic ZnO–CuO hetero-nanocomposite could be used as a photocatalyst for wastewater treatment with excellent regeneration efficiency.

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The authors declare that no funds, Grants, or other support were received during the preparation of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, 712-749, Republic of Korea

    Nagaraj Basavegowda

  2. School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, 712-749, Republic of Korea

    Prathap Somu

  3. Department of Biotechnology, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (Deemed to be University), Saveetha Nagar, Thandalam, Chennai, 602105, India

    Prathap Somu

  4. Department of Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Bioscience, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences (Deemed-to-be University) Karunya Nagar, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641 114, India

    Asma Musfira Shabbirahmed, Levin Anbu Gomez & Jesse Joel Thathapudi

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  1. Nagaraj Basavegowda
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  2. Prathap Somu
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  3. Asma Musfira Shabbirahmed
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  4. Levin Anbu Gomez
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  5. Jesse Joel Thathapudi
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Contributions

NB and PS contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection, and analysis were performed by NB, LAG, JJT, and AMS. The first draft of the manuscript was written by PS. Critical revision of the article was performed by PS and NB. All the authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Prathap Somu or Jesse Joel Thathapudi.

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Basavegowda, N., Somu, P., Shabbirahmed, A.M. et al. Bimetallic p-ZnO/n-CuO nanocomposite synthesized using Aegle marmelos leaf extract exhibits excellent visible-light-driven photocatalytic removal of 4-nitroaniline and methyl orange. Photochem Photobiol Sci 21, 1357–1370 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43630-022-00224-0

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