Location: Cotton Fiber Bioscience and Utilization Research
Title: Cu2O/CuO Nanoparticle-Cotton Fiber Biocomposite Catalyst: Self Improvement Through Morphological Changes During Methyl Orange DegradationAuthor
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Hillyer, Matthew |
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Jordan, Jacobs |
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ERNST, NICHOLAS - Purdue University Northwest- Hammond Campus |
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Nam, Sunghyun |
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Easson, Michael |
Submitted to: Langmuir
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 12/6/2024 Publication Date: 12/16/2024 Citation: Hillyer, M.B., Jordan, J.H., Ernst, N.E., Nam, S., Easson, M.W. 2024. Cu2O/CuO Nanoparticle-Cotton Fiber Biocomposite Catalyst: Self Improvement Through Morphological Changes During Methyl Orange Degradation. Langmuir. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.langmuir.4c02405. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.langmuir.4c02405 Interpretive Summary: Here, the synthesis and application of a natural fiber-supported copper nanoparticle catalyst has been presented. The inspiration of Schweizer’s reagent for penetrating copper ions within the interior of the cotton microfibrillar structure and subsequent precipitation and reduction proved successful in forming chemically active, physically immobilized CuxONp inside the cotton microfibrillar matric. The biocomposite catalyst was easily applied in the catalytic reduction of a large volume and high concentration of methyl orange, an organic azo-containing dye, with NaBH4. The dependence of the solution pH on the TOF revealed that the reaction time could be reduced by an order of magnitude by increasing the alkalinity from 7.2 to 9.1. The application cotton-supported mixed copper(I–II) oxide (cuprous oxide (Cu2O) and cupric oxide (CuO), Cu2O/CuO) nanoparticle catalyst (CSCuxONpC) as a durable catalyst was demonstrated by the degradation of methyl orange with minimal loss to efficiency even after 10 cycles. The use of CSCuxONpC as a rapid, first stage for decomposing azo dyes, in conjunction with other treatment methods to further demineralize could provide an effective and efficient method for wastewater mitigation. Further studies will explore the applicability of this material as a potential support matrix for other catalysts, as well as the application towards other reactions. Technical Abstract: Azo dyes are a group of chemicals containing R–N=N–R moieties, in which R and R are usually aryl or aryl-substituted groups as part of conjugated p systems. Due to their high affinity and vibrant color, azo dyes have been used in a myriad of commercial products ranging from textiles, footwear, leather, furniture to consumer foods. However, the toxicity of azo dyes and their metabolites has become the focus of scientific research leading to the ban of these chemicals by some government agencies. To address this concern, herein, the application of a natural fiber (cotton fabric)-supported Cu2O/CuO nanoparticle system as a catalyst in the chemical degradation of a representative azo dye, methyl orange, is reported. The nanoparticle biocomposite showed a remarkable capacity to degrade methyl orange in solution (50 ppm, 150 mL) in <3 h (pH 7.2) or <1.5 h (pH 9.1) using 150 mg catalyst material containing 1.7 wt% copper content. Over five catalytic reaction cycles the content of Cu1+ relative to Cu2+ increased from 57.6 to 94.1%, average particle size decreased from 54.7 ± 58.5 to 28.7 ± 22.0 nm and the average circularity increased from 0.69 ± 0.25 to 0.75 ± 0.25, while maintaining high catalytic degradation efficiency (>99.6%). The easy application and isolation of the cotton fabric-supported catalyst suggests a promising application in industrial waste remediation. |