Degradation of dye wastewater by using cobalt, copper and nickel Schiff base complexes as catalysts: spectral, molecular modelling, catalytic activity and metal removal from aqueous solution

Abstract

ABSTRACT Metal complexes of Co(II), Cu(II) and Ni(II) with the Schiff base ligand, 6,6ʹ-(([1,1ʹ-biphenyl]-4,4ʹ diylbis(azaneylylidene))bis(methaneylylidene))bis(2,4-dichlorophenol) (H2L) were synthesised. All synthesised compounds were identified and characterised. The conductivity measurements showed the non-electrolytic nature of all the complexes. The decomposition of all complexes ended with metal oxide. Octahedral geometries were proposed for all complexes. Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye (MB) in the presence and absence of hydrogen peroxide was studied by using Co(II), Cu(II) and Ni(II) complexes as catalysts. Fluorescence studies have shown that the reported compounds can act as photoactive materials. Density functional theory was used to investigate the geometries of the ligand and its complexes. The adsorption of Co2+, Ni2+ and Cu2+ in an aqueous solution on H2L ligand under various conditions was studied. The optical properties of all complexes were studied. Antimicrobial activities of the ligand and its transition metal complexes were studied. The in-vitro cytotoxicity of ligand and its cobalt(II), nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes were evaluated towards the human Liver Carcinoma (HepG2) cell line and compared with standard cisplatin.