Phoenix dactylifera mediated green synthesis of Cu₂O particles for arsenite uptake from water

In this study, an environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and single-step procedure is used for the synthesis of polycrystalline Cu₂O particles with controlled morphologies. Simple sugars are extracted from date fruit pulp (Phoenix dactylifera) and used as a reducing agent for the formation of Cu₂O particles in aqueous medium. The feasibility of this solution is compared with the standard glucose solution. The Cu₂O particles are characterized by electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, optical absorption and Raman scattering techniques. It is concluded that the morphology of the particles is mainly influenced by the solvents. The obtained Cu₂O particles are then used as an adsorbent to uptake As(III) ions from water. The maximum adsorption capacity (Q_max) is estimated by Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms and it is found that Q_max = 14.3 mg g^-1. Adsorption kinetics study showed that the adsorption equilibrium could be achieved in 1 h and that the purified water meets the standards of World Health Organization (WHO) for acceptable amount of As(III) in drinking water. Adsorption kinetic models showed that the adsorption is chemisorption in nature.