Hollow flower-like Cu2(OH)3Cl/Cu2O nanostructures and their efficient catalytical properties
摘要
This work presents the mechanochemical synthesis of Cu2(OH)3Cl/Cu2O nanocomposite. The product morphology changed using surfactant, drying treatment, and separation by centrifugal force. The most intriguing morphology was of the flower-like type, which presented a central void that developed due to the Kirkendall effect. Based on this morphology, the ad-sorption properties of the material were evaluated for the removal of indigo carmine and 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) dyes. The chemical and structural characterization techniques of the nanocomposite included scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Electron microscopy effectively confirmed the synthesis of flower-like, hollow particles of the Cu2(OH)3Cl/Cu2O composite, with diameters ranging from 400 to 600 nm. The center of each particle remains hollow due to the migration of Cu₂O atoms into the reaction zone. X-ray diffraction studies confirmed the coexistence of the crystallographic phases, paratacamite, and copper oxide, with paratacamite being the predominant phase. Finally, the Cu₂(OH)₃Cl/Cu₂O nanocomposite demonstrated impressive adsorption efficiencies of 98% for indigo carmine and 92% for 4-nitrophenol. These findings suggest that the nanocomposite obtained through a cost-effective synthesis has exciting potential for applications in environmental remediation.