Green synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles using Prickly Pear peel fruit extract: Characterization and catalytic activity

Identifier:  imarina:9231335

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/imarina9231335

Authors:  Badri, A; Slimi, S; Guergueb, M; Kahri, H; Mateos, X

Abstract:
In this work, a rapid and green synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles was developed using aqueous extract of prickly pear peel. The obtained CuO nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). The XRD result showed that CuO nanoparticles crystallize in the C 2/c monoclinic space group and confirmed their purity by refinement of the pattern. The FTIR measurements indicated that the different phytochemicals present in prickly pear peels extract are indispensable for the synthesis of CuO nanoparticles. The UV–visible analysis reported the surface Plasmon resonance band at 284 nm. The SEM and TEM analysis also confirmed that the synthesized nanoparticles had spherical morphology with uniform symmetry and displayed a particle in a 20–40 nm range size. The EDX spectrum and mapping proved the purity of CuO with Cu and O occurrence. Afterward, the catalytic activity of the synthesized catalyst was tested for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) in the presence of sodium borohydride in an aqueous media. Moreover, the catalyst showed high durability during several cycles.