Optoelectronic, microstructural, ecofriendly and photo-catalytic evaluation of Aspartic acid cross-linked Poly (vinyl alcohol)/Copper Oxidenanotubescomposite films

Abstract

Abstract The present work describes design and preparation of aspartic acid (Asp) cross-linked Poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/Copper oxide nanotubes (CuO NTs) composite filmsvia solution casting method.The CuO NTswere prepared by novel biogenic method using RobiniaPseudoacaciaLeaf Extract.Theprepared CuO NTs and PVA/CuO/Asp nanocomposite filmsarecharacterized by various techniques.The adsorption and photo-catalytic efficiencies of PVA/CuO/Asp nanocomposite films were compared with pristine CuO NTs. The adsorption capacity of PVA/CuO/Asp nanocomposite films showed higher due to presence of active sites, high surface activity and semiconducting nature of CuO NTs and Asp embedded in PVA matrix. The comparative photocatalytic activities of the CuO NTsand PVA/CuO NTs/Asp nanocomposite filmsare examinedagainst methylene blue (MB) as a substrate degradation, and film PVA/CuO NTs/Asp showed highest (up to 77%) degradation compared to other films. The improved photocatalytic behavior of PVA nanocomposite film attributed to its narrower band gapreduces the recombination rate of exited electron-hole, enhanced UV-Vis absorption intensity, extinction coefficient and refractive index, improved utilization of sunlight and enhanced adsorption of dye due to functional groups, biodegradable, surface wettability, hydrophilic surface and self-cleaning nature.