Controlled drug release and efficient COD removal using copper immobilized zeolite 4A nanocomposite

Abstract

The copper oxide –zeolite 4A nanocomposite was prepared by co-precipitation method. XRD analysis confirmed the formation of monoclinic structured CuO nanoparticles having an average diameter of 18 nm on the zeolite surface. FESEM and EDX studies confirmed the formation of CuO NPs in the zeolite framework and 5.6% of copper has been exchanged into the zeolite matrix. The presence of Cu–O bonds in the CuZ nanocomposite (CuZ NC) was also proved by FTIR studies. BET analysis showed that the as-prepared nanocomposite exhibited type IV isotherm adsorption behaviour, which is characteristic of multi-porous materials. The surface area was calculated to be 17.5 m 2 /g indicating the existence of, CuO layer on the zeolite surface and inside the channels. The adsorption studies of sewage using CuZ showed removal efficiency of 97% and 93% for COD and BOD with an adsorbent dosage of 100mg/50 ml of pH 7 for 100 min at 25 °C with an agitation speed of 300 rpm. Equilibrium studies showed that the adsorption mechanism follows the Freundlich model indicating multilayer adsorption. Kinetic data fit well with the pseudo-first-order model which shows that physisorption is favoured than chemisorption . Thermodynamic studies indicated the spontaneous and endothermic behaviour of the process. The drug loading studies showed that CuZ has high loading capacity, low cytotoxicity and slow-release performance for Doxorubicin . CuZ nanocomposite exhibited antagonistic effect on the growth of Bacillus subtilis (B29) and Escherichia coli (E266) bacterial strains with greater inhibition zones . • CuZ NC was synthesised and characterised by XRD, SEM, EDX, BET, and FTIR. • CuZ NC is cytotoxic and a good drug loader for Doxorubicin used in cancer therapy. • Sewage treatment using CuZ NC showed removal efficiency of 97 & 93% for COD and BOD. • CuZ NC showed hostile effect on the growth of E. coli & B. subtilis with high inhibition zones.