Low temperature synthesis of copper oxide nanoflowers for lead removal using sonochemical route

Abstract

In this research, copper oxide (CuO) nanoflowers were obtained using a low-temperature synthesis technique with a high yield rate, and were tested as an adsorbent for the removal of lead ions (Pb2+) in aqueous systems. These CuO nanoflowers were initially characterized according to their topological, morphological, chemical, elemental, and structural parameters. Their morphology and size were investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). It was found that the synthesized CuO nanoflowers ranged in size range from 20 to 90 nm with consistent features in a monoclinic phase, as elucidated by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analyses confirmed their composition to be pure CuO with minimal impurities. When these nanoflowers were utilized as an adsorbent for the removal of Pb2+, they yielded a maximum adsorption capacity of 188.7 mg/g at an adsorbent dose of 0.5 mg/mL with R-2 = similar to 0.98. The adsorption capacity of our CuO nanoflowers was considerably higher than that of adsorbents,explored by other researchers. Therefore, these CuO nanoflowers are proposed as an efficient sorbent material for waste water treatment.