Immobilization of copper oxide nanoparticles onto chitosan biopolymer: Application to the oxidative degradation of Naphthol blue black.

In this study, copper oxide nanoparticles, prepared using pistacia vera hull extract, were immobilized onto chitosan. FT-IR spectrum of copper oxide-chitosan exhibited chemical shifting of the main peaks of the biopolymer indicating that hydroxyl and amino groups were reacted with copper oxide nanoparticles. SEM features showed spherical surface and physical stability of the composite. The shifting of the burning temperature in DTA from 278.5 °C to 212.6 °C in the composite proved the interaction between chitosan and copper oxide nanoparticles. The composite was applied for the oxidative degradation of naphthol blue black in the presence of HO. The change of copper oxide nanoparticles loading, time, dye concentration, temperature, and oxidant dose were studied. The degradation yield reached 86 % (C = 30 mg/L, T=20 °C, HO = 8 mL/L). The activation energy (E), entropy (ΔS*) and enthalpy (ΔH*) were equal to 45.558 KJ. mol, -116.203 J mol K and 42.986 kJ mol, respectively.