Multifunctional Chitosan-Copper Oxide Hybrid Material: Photocatalytic and Antibacterial Activities

Yuvaraj Haldorai,Jae-Jin Shim

doi:10.1155/2013/245646

Abstract

Chitosan (CS) anchored copper oxide (CuO) hybrid material was prepared by chemical precipitation method. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the formation of CS-CuO hybrid. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis showed the immobilization of CuO nanoparticles on the surface of CS. The hybrid was also characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and zeta potential. The hybrid exhibited high photocatalytic activity as evident from the degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye. The result revealed substantial degradation of the MB dye (84%) under UV-light illumination. The antibacterial activity of hybrid againstEscherichia coliwas examined by colony forming units. It was proved that the CS encapsulated CuO hybrid exhibited excellent antibacterial activity.

Highlights

Nanotechnology can be understood as a technology of design, fabrication, and applications of nanostructures and nanomaterials
The CS-Cupric oxide (CuO) hybrid was prepared by chemical precipitation method
The thermal stability and crystallinity of the hybrid were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)

Summary

Introduction

Nanotechnology can be understood as a technology of design, fabrication, and applications of nanostructures and nanomaterials. The immobilization of an appropriate catalyst onto the surface of a natural biopolymer provides a number of additional advantages including low-cost, high adsorption, high catalytic activity, and extensive potential for reuse [5]. In this regard, chitosan (CS), a linear cationic, pH sensitive, nontoxic, biodegradable, biocompatible polysaccharide obtained from deacetylation of chitin seems to offer numerous distinct advantages [6]. We synthesized a multifunctional material CS-CuO to meet the need of high adsorption, selfregeneration, easy separation, and cost-effective dye removal from aqueous solution with enhanced antimicrobial property. This novel CS-CuO hybrid has great potential to be used as an economic, environmental friendly, and sustainable material for dye removal with enhanced antimicrobial activity

Experimental

Results and Discussion

H NH2 CS

Conclusion