Sustainable Eco-Synthesis of CuO–TiO₂ Nanocomposites Using Hibiscus for Water Remediation
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The widespread release of the methylene blue (MB) dye from textile industries poses serious environmental and health concerns. This study reports the green synthesis of CuO–TiO₂ nanocomposites using Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) flower extract, which serves as a natural source of phytochemicals functioning as reducing and stabilizing agents. The nanocomposites were synthesized by combining CuO and TiO₂ nanoparticles in a 1:1 mass ratio via a plant-mediated co-precipitation method and applied for the photocatalytic degradation of MB under UV-light irradiation. The photocatalytic mechanism is driven by the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) under UV activation, facilitating dye degradation. Characterization was performed using synchrotron-based X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis, thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis (TGA/DTA), and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The nanocomposites exhibited a spherical morphology, enhanced crystallinity, good thermal stability, and a BET surface area of 59.52 m²/g. Photocatalytic performance was assessed using UV–Vis spectroscopy, achieving 81% degradation efficiency of MB within 160 minutes. These results demonstrate the potential of HS-mediated CuO–TiO₂ nanocomposites as efficient, sustainable photocatalysts for wastewater remediation.
Authors: Abubakar Dantani Meli, Mahmoud Abdellatief, Nazzatush Shimar Jamaludin, Che Azurahanim Che Abdullah
Language: English
Field: Energy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7104839503
FWCI:
Cites:
Cited by:
Related to: