Biosynthesis, Characterization and Photocatalytic Activity of Copper/Copper Oxide Nanoparticles Produced Using Aqueous Extract of Lemongrass Leaf

摘要

The paper presents a green, simple and eco-friendly method to synthesize copper/copper oxide nanoparticles (Cu/CuO-NPs) from CuSO_4 solution using aqueous extract of lemongrass leaf as the reducing and capping agent. The influence of some factors such as the volume ratio of lemongrass leaf extract and CuSO_4 solution, pH and temperature to the synthesis of Cu/CuO-NPs were investigated. The results showed that the formation of stable Cu/CuO-NPs was rapid. CuSO_4 solution changed from light blue to yellowish green colour after adding aqueous extract of lemongrass leaf. The formation of Cu/CuO-NPs was confirmed by UV-Vis spectroscopy. In this research, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques were used to determine the morphology and crystalline phase of Cu/CuO-NPs. The obtained Cu/CuO-NPs were spherical, with the size ranging from 5.67 to 9.10 nm. The photocatalytic activity of the synthesized Cu/CuO-NPs was examined via degradation process of methylene blue under sunlight irradiation.