Abstract
A free-standing film of polyvinyl alcohol-supported cuprous oxide nanoparticles was synthesized by in-situ reduction using gallic acid as the reducing and crosslinking agent. The synthesized polyvinyl alcohol/cuprous oxide nanocomposite was characterized by UV/visible, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), and thermal gravimetric analysis. The obtained cuprous oxide nanoparticles had a cubic crystalline structure with a particle size around 10–19 nm. The FTIR data indicated that the broadening of the OH group was attributed to the crosslinking between polyvinyl alcohol and gallic acid. Also, the cuprous oxide nanoparticles were complexed with the polyvinyl alcohol matrix through (CO) and (CC) groups. The swelling and thermal gravimetric analysis proved the crosslinking of the polyvinyl alcohol which in turn tightly holds the cuprous oxide nanoparticles. The polyvinyl alcohol/cuprous oxide nanocomposite film was used as an attractive catalyst for the oxidation and reduction of water pollutants. Furthermore, polyvinyl alcohol/cuprous oxide nanocomposite exhibited excellent recyclability and reusability demonstrating good stability and potential use in different applications.
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