Eco-Friendly Nanoparticles from Waste for Efficient Dye Removal

Jenn Hoskins
17th July, 2024

Eco-Friendly Nanoparticles from Waste for Efficient Dye Removal

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • Researchers from Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles using waste papaya peel extract, an eco-friendly and cost-effective method
  • The nanoparticles, confirmed to be around 15-20 nm in size, showed promising optical properties and a monoclinic phase
  • These nanoparticles efficiently degraded up to 50% of methylene blue dye in 40 minutes, highlighting their potential for wastewater treatment
In recent advancements, researchers from the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León have successfully synthesized copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles using an eco-friendly approach, specifically utilizing the aqueous extract of waste papaya peel (Carica papaya)[1]. This novel method not only aligns with green chemistry principles but also presents a cost-effective alternative by directly producing nanoparticles from rock minerals, bypassing the need for expensive pure chemical reagents. The study's X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that the CuO nanoparticles exhibit a monoclinic phase with a particle size of 20 nm. Additionally, optical absorption analysis showed a peak at 264 nm, indicating the material's optical properties. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) further confirmed the almost spherical morphology of the nanoparticles, with a size of approximately 15 nm. One of the significant findings of this study is the efficiency of these CuO nanoparticles in degrading methylene blue (MB), a common dye pollutant. The researchers achieved up to 50% degradation of MB in just 40 minutes using 6 mg of CuO nanoparticles in 60 ml of a 10 mg/L MB solution. This demonstrates the potential of these nanoparticles in wastewater treatment applications. This study builds upon previous research that explored the synthesis and application of various bimetallic and metal oxide nanoparticles. For instance, earlier work synthesized bimetal oxide nanoparticles (zinc and manganese ions) using Carica papaya leaf extract, which also showed promising results in dye degradation and antimicrobial activity[2]. Another study focused on MnTiO3 nanophotocatalysts synthesized via a sol-gel technique, which effectively degraded pollutants under natural sunlight[3]. Furthermore, research on copper-iron bimetallic nanoparticles highlighted their biological and environmental applications, including enzyme inhibition and pollutant removal[4]. The current study ties together these previous findings by demonstrating that green synthesis methods using plant extracts can produce effective nanoparticles for environmental remediation. The use of waste papaya peel not only adheres to sustainable practices but also adds value to otherwise discarded materials. In summary, the novel CuO nanoparticles synthesized in this study offer a promising solution for wastewater treatment. Their efficient degradation of methylene blue, combined with the economic and ecological benefits of the green synthesis method, underscores the potential of these nanoparticles in addressing environmental pollution. This research not only expands on previous studies but also sets a precedent for future work in the field of green nanotechnology.

EnvironmentSustainabilityBiotech

References

Main Study

1) Bionanomining: bioengineered CuO nanoparticles from mining and organic waste for photo-catalytic dye degradation.

Published 16th July, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-024-02123-y

Related Studies

2) Phyto Synthesis of Manganese-Doped Zinc Nanoparticles Using Carica papaya Leaves: Structural Properties and Its Evaluation for Catalytic, Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activities.

https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14091827

3) Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye in aqueous solution by MnTiO3 nanoparticles under sunlight irradiation.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e03663

4) Versatility of copper-iron bimetallic nanoparticles fabricated using Hibiscus rosa-sinensis flower phytochemicals: various enzymes inhibition, antibiofilm effect, chromium reduction and dyes removal.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-024-01918-3


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