Synthesis of copper‐oxide nanoparticles from Euphorbia antiquorum extract and evaluation of its dye degradation capacity

Abstract

AbstractDye discharge from industrial textile effluent is hazardous to the environment. Hence, the removal of dye has become important as it affects both human and aquatic life, even if it is present in minimal amounts. In comparison to the physio‐chemical technique, photocatalytic degradation of the dye using nanoparticles that are generated biologically provides a feasible method for the breakdown of environmental pollutants. Unlike other metal oxides, Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) have attracted the attention of many researchers due to their potential to act as photocatalyst and also because of their enormous surface area. Euphorbia antiquorum (triangular spurge) is a common thorny succulent found all over peninsular India, primarily in dry areas. The aqueous extract of the selected plant was employed to synthesis CuONPs, which were then analyzed using SEM‐EDX, FTIR, XPS, and XRD. The present study describes how CuONPs derived from the extract of E. antiquorum degrade major commercial dyes such as Congo Red (CR), Coomassie Brilliant Blue (CBB R‐250 dye, and Reactive Black (RB). The photocatalytic degradation efficiency of synthesized CuONPs has been demonstrated for a wide range of dyes used in the textile industry. Dye degradation of RB using synthesized CuONPs showed 93% efficiency.