Production of CuO nanoparticles using a simple precipitation method in a rotating packed bed with blade packings

Abstract

CuO nanoparticles were produced using a simple precipitation method in a rotating packed bed with blade packings in continuous mode. The reactant and precipitant were CuSO4 and Na2CO3, respectively. The effects of the rotational speed, the flow rates of aqueous CuSO4 and Na2CO3, and the concentrations of CuSO4 and Na2CO3 on the size of the produced CuO nanoparticles were studied. The results thus obtained indicate that a lower rotational speed and smaller flow rates of aqueous CuSO4 and Na2CO3 yielded smaller CuO nanoparticles. However, increasing concentrations of CuSO4 and Na2CO reduced the size of the produced CuO nanoparticles. The smallest CuO nanoparticles, which had an average size of 54 nm, were produced at a rotational speed of 600 rpm, flow rates of aqueous CuSO4 and Na2CO3 of 0.3 L/min, a CuSO4 concentration of 0.3 mol/L, and an Na2CO3 concentration of 0.3 mol/L. The catalytic activity of the smallest CuO nanoparticles was evaluated by using them to degrade methylene blue with H2O2. CuO nanoparticles effectively activated H2O2 and so degraded methylene blue with an efficiency of 62% in 90 min.