Green synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles impregnated on activated carbon using Moringa oleifera leaves extract for the removal of nitrates from water

Abstract

The present work aims at impregnating copper oxide nanoparticles (Cu NPs) on activated carbon by means of green synthesis with Moringa oleifera leaf extract to develop a material to remove contaminants from water. The produced materials were characterized by means of their textural (specific surface area), morphological (Transmission Electron Microscopy), and structural (X‐ray Diffraction) properties. Particles size was estimated by Scherrer equation and the elemental copper concentrations were estimated by Total Reflection X‐ray Fluorescence (TXRF). Adsorption experiments, as well as pH, kinetics, and adsorption isotherms studies were carried out with the intent of evaluating the efficiency of nitrate (NO3‐) removal from water. The impregnation efficiency of Cu NPs on activated carbon after the adsorption process was measured by means of TXRF analyses. Characterization results confirmed the formation, impregnation, and stability of copper oxide nanoparticles supported on activated carbon, whose crystallite average size ranged between 6 and 61 nm. The proposed method for the nanoparticles synthesis and impregnation were demonstrated to be simple and eco‐friendly. Impregnated carbons presented significant nitrate removal (about 60 %) thus indicating their potential application in water treatment.

Immobilization of biogenic metal nanoparticles on sustainable materials – green approach applied to wastewater treatment: a systematic review

“…Activated carbon is produced from environmental wastes with high carbon content. 152 Lignocellulosic and coal materials such as tree, 153 jute stick, 154 flamboyant pods, 155 palm coconut, 156 lemon pomace, 157 corn straws, 158 worn tires, 159,160 pomegranate peel, 161 sawdust, 162 spent mushroom compost 163 and spent filters from home filtration systems 164 have been used as raw materials planned for the manufacture of activated carbon to act as a support for biogenic MNP.…”

Carbon Nanomaterials for Wastewater Treatment

“…A green synthetic method to impregnate copper oxide in AC-based nanoparticles is developed using Moringa oleifera leaves extract. The copper oxide-impregnated AC nanoparticles were taken as an adsorbent in the removal of nitrate ions from wastewater with an adsorption capacity of 60 % at pH 2 and pH 5.5 [164]. As there are enough possibilities for leaching of impregnated metals from composites, metal-impregnated AC as adsorbent is not used in point-of-use water purification devices until metal leaching issue is not resolved.…”

Embedded nanoFeCu for sewage treatment: Laboratory‐scale and pilot studies

“…NanoCaCO 3 demonstrated remarkable phosphorus removal of 100% in treating water collected from Beira Lake, Sri Lanka. [ 11 ] Galan et al [ 12 ] impregnated CuO nanoparticles on activated carbon, which removed 60% of the nitrate via the adsorption process. Besides, research also showed that nanoFe 0 reduced Cr(VI) via adsorption, and it was fitted to the pseudo‐first‐order kinetic model.…”