Biogenic synthesis and characterization of MgO/CuO nanohybrids for degradation of Acid Blue 113 dye: A sustainable environmental remedial approach

This work focused on the green synthesis of MgO and CuO nanoparticles using the ripened fruit extract of Prunus armeniaca (apricot) using a green, economical, eco-friendly method. The fruit extract acts as a reducing and capping agent and does not require external reducing and stabilizing agents. The formation of nanoparticles was checked by UV–Visible spectrophotometer. Different techniques including UV–Visible, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), and zeta potential were used to characterize the green-synthesized nanoparticles. The nano-scaled MgO and CuO particles were used to decolorize Acid Blue 113 (AB113). Dye removal efficiency of MgO/CuO nanohybrid was determined by optimizing the reaction variables including dye level, nanoparticle mass, temperature, and pH. The maximum dye removal was observed at 10 mg/L dye level, 3:6 mg/L MgO/CuO nanohybrid (0.003/0.006 g/L), at 50 °C and 7 pH. The adsorptive and catalytic behavior of CuO/MgO nanohybrid showed promising results in the removal of the target dye. The kinetic study showed second order kinetics of the reaction. These hybrid nanoparticles could be employed to treat other harmful synthetic dyes to control water pollution.