Remediation of Dye-Contaminated Water Using Brown Algae Seaweed Supported Copper Nanoparticles

The current study provides a platform for the convenient one-pot green synthesis of seaweed supported copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) using aqueous Sargassum cervicorne (S cervicorne) extract for the first time. The successful synthesis of CuNPs was proven by Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy by observing a mild Surface plasmon Resonance around 500-600 nm. The Fourier transform infrared spectra confirmed that the seaweed extract aided the synthesis and capping of CuNPs, while energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy verified the presence of Cu. The scanning electron- and transmission electron micrographs of the CuNPs exhibited spherical shapes with sizes ranging between 2.6 and 3 nm. The X-ray diffractogram of CuNPs indicated an amorphous nature; whereas, the thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the seaweed-based CuNPs were thermally stable up to 150 degrees C. The surface area of 4.03 m(2)/g and pore volume of 0.002191 cm(3)/g for the synthesized CuNPs was determined by the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis. The prepared CuNPs were tested for their application as a catalyst for the reduction of azo dyes (Methyl orange (MO), Congo red (CR), and Methyl Red (MR)) using the sodium borohydride (reducing agent) following the pseudo-first-order reaction kinetics. The synthesized CuNPs displayed an excellent degradation of about 98.23% for CR (0.08 M) while 98.58% at a catalyst dose of (180 mu g/mu l) forMO (0.06 M) with k(app) 0.48 min(-1) at a catalyst dose of 160 (mu g/mu l) in 8 min of reaction time. A degradation of 92.02% was obtained for MR (0.1 M) dye with k(app) value of 0.29 min(-1) at a catalyst dosage of 120 (mu g/mu l) in 10 min. Thus, proving the successful production of ecofriendly and economically sustainable CuNPs for the treatment of dye-contaminated water.