Biogenic synthesis, characterization and effects of Mn-CuO composite nanocatalysts on Methylene blue photodegradation and Human erythrocytes

Abstract

<abstract> <p>Each year more than 150, 000 tons of dyes are released in effluents by industries. These chemicals entities non-biodegradable and toxic can be removed from effluent by metallic nanomaterials. The aqueous extract of <italic>Manotes expansa</italic> leaves is used as reducing and stabilizing agent in the biogenic synthesis of Mn-CuO nanocomposites. The nanoparticles obtained were characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction (XRD), X-ray Fluorescence, Dynamic Light Scattering (DSL), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The hemotoxicity of biosynthesized nanomaterials was assessed by evaluating their hemolytic activity using erythrocytes as a model system. The photocatalytic activity of Mn-CuO was carried out by photocatalytic degradation of Methylene Blue dye as a model. The results obtained by UV-vis spectroscopy showed a Plasmonic Surface Resonance band at 408 nm. XRD and X-ray fluorescence made it possible to identify the presence of particles of formula Mn_0.53Cu_0.21O having crystallized in a Hexagonal system (a = 3.1080 Å and c = 5.2020 Å). Spherical morphology and average height 49.34 ± 6.71 nm were determined by SEM and DSL, respectively. The hemolytic activity of biosynthesized nanomaterials revealed that they are not hemotoxic in vitro (% hemolysis 3.2%) and 98.3% of Methylene Blue dye was removed after 120 min under irradiation with solar light in the presence of Mn-CuO nanocomposites.</p> </abstract>