Application of fungal copper carbonate nanoparticles as environmental catalysts: organic dye degradation and chromate removal

Abstract

Biomineralization is a ubiquitous process in organisms to produce biominerals, and a wide range of metallic nanoscale minerals can be produced as a consequence of the interactions of micro-organisms with metals and minerals. Copper-bearing nanoparticles produced by biomineralization mechanisms have a variety of applications due to their remarkable catalytic efficiency, antibacterial properties and low production cost. In this study, we demonstrate the biotechnological potential of copper carbonate nanoparticles (CuNPs) synthesized using a carbonate-enriched biomass-free ureolytic fungal spent culture supernatant. The efficiency of the CuNPs in pollutant remediation was investigated using a dye (methyl red) and a toxic metal oxyanion, chromate Cr(VI). The biogenic CuNPs exhibited excellent catalytic properties in a Fenton-like reaction to degrade methyl red, and efficiently removed Cr(VI) from solution due to both adsorption and reduction of Cr(VI). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) identified the oxidation of reducing Cu species of the CuNPs during the reaction with Cr(VI). This work shows that urease-positive fungi can play an important role not only in the biorecovery of metals through the production of insoluble nanoscale carbonates, but also provides novel and simple strategies for the preparation of sustainable nanomineral products with catalytic properties applicable to the bioremediation of organic and metallic pollutants, solely and in mixtures.

Perspectives on Metals in Microbiology

“…Indeed, a wide range of metallic nanoscale minerals can be produced as a result of the interactions of microbes with metals and minerals that can be used for a range of environmental and biomanufacturing applications. This is highlighted in the research article from Liu and colleagues [12] that reports on the activity of copper carbonate nanoparticles, synthesized by the fungus Neurospora crassa using spent culture supernatant, with regard to methyl red degradation and chromate remediation. Such work not only demonstrates the important role microbes can play in the biorecovery of metals through the production of insoluble nanoparticles, but also how the catalytic properties of such products can be exploited.…”

Biosynthesis of Nanoparticles using Microorganisms and their Applications

“…These biogenic copper carbonate nanoparticles degraded methyl red dye effectively. The biogenic copper carbonate nanoparticles were able to remove Cr(VI) (Liu et al 2021).…”