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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Jie ZhangORCiD
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
Pure CuO and CuO/SrSO4 nanocomposites were synthesized via the hydrothermal method to explore their catalytic efficacy in degrading methylene blue (MB). CuSO4·5H2O, NaOH, and SrCl2·6H2O were used as primary reagents. XRD characterization unveiled the monoclinic structure (C2/c) of pure CuO NPs, exhibiting well-defined crystallinity with crystallite sizes ranging from 9.64 to 26.08 nm. Notably, samples with Sr concentrations exceeding 2wt% exhibited a secondary SrSO4 phase with an orthorhombic structure (Pnma). Infrared and Raman spectroscopy confirmed Cu-O, S-O, and Sr-O bond vibrations, validating CuO and SrSO4 synthesis. SEM micrographs depicted irregular platelet-like morphology with a surface area of up to 0.061 μm2 and nanometric thickness for pure CuO NPs, while this morphology varied for CuO/SrSO4 nanocomposites. BET analysis revealed a relatively large specific surface area (9.04 to 15.12 m2 /g), potentially advantageous for catalytic activity. Catalytic degradation of MB in aqueous solution by pure CuO NPs exhibited limited efficiency (19.77% in 60 min), markedly enhanced to 100% in 40 min with the addition of H2O2. Despite H2O2 presence, CuO/SrSO4 nanocomposites showed lower MB degradation efficiency due to sulfate SO4 2- ion poisoning. Monitoring the formation of SrSO4 phase is a synthesis strategy to adjust the poisoning effect by sulfate ions. The sample with a Sr concentration of 6 wt% demonstrated the highest degradation rate (83.78% in 40 min), attributed to its larger specific surface area. Furthermore, synthesized materials displayed satisfactory catalytic stability upon recycling for MB degradation.
Author(s): Touahri S, Halimi O, Zaabat M, Mammeri S, Boudine B, Sebais M, Tahraoui H, Zhang J, Amrane A
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids
Year: 2024
Volume: 195
Print publication date: 01/12/2024
Online publication date: 02/09/2024
Acceptance date: 31/08/2024
Date deposited: 05/09/2024
ISSN (print): 0022-3697
ISSN (electronic): 1879-2553
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd
URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpcs.2024.112299
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpcs.2024.112299
ePrints DOI: 10.57711/bfsj-s487
Data Access Statement: Data will be made available on request.
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