CuO embedded chitosan spheres as antibacterial adsorbent for dyes

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Environmental Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Developing efficient adsorbents for water pollutant removal is crucial.
• Chitosan and copper oxide nanomaterials offer unique properties for composite development.
• Investigating composite materials for environmental remediation is an active research area.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize chitosan/copper oxide (CS/CuO) composite spheres.
• To evaluate the adsorbent capabilities of CS/CuO spheres for removing dyes from water.
• To assess the antibacterial activity of the fabricated composite spheres.

Main Methods:

• CS/CuO composite spheres were prepared via a simple mixing and dropwise addition method.
• Characterization involved FESEM, EDS, XRD, XPS, FTIR, and TGA analyses.
• Adsorption studies were conducted using indigo carmine, congo red, and methyl orange dyes.

Main Results:

• CS/CuO composite spheres demonstrated superior adsorption for IC, CR, and MO compared to pure CS.
• The composite spheres exhibited higher selectivity towards methyl orange adsorption.
• Significant antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa was observed.

Conclusions:

• CS/CuO composite spheres are effective and easily removable adsorbents for water pollutants.
• The developed composite spheres show potential for selective dye removal and antibacterial applications.
• This research highlights the future utility of CS/CuO composite spheres as biosorbents.