Bio-derived CuO nanoparticles for the photocatalytic treatment of dyes

• Eco-friendly, simple synthesis of CuO nanoparticles by using Musa balbisiana.
• The K+, CO32−CO32−, Na+, Cl− ions may responsible for synthesis of CuO nanoparticles.
• CuO nanoparticles are efficient catalyst for oxidation of aldehyde.
• Rate of photocatalytic reaction depends on the concentration of CuO nanoparticles.

Eco-friendly synthesis of CuO nanoparticles and its utility as photocatalyst in degradation of methyl red (MR) dye are reported. CuO nanoparticles were characterized by XRD, XPS, SEM and TEM techniques. In XRD analysis, the significant 2θ values appeared at 18.2, 24.6, 33.3, 34.9, 35.5, 38.6, 42.3 correspond to (020), (021), (002), (111), (042), (138) and (131) planes respectively. The SEM image indicated the formation of microflower CuO nanoparticles. The photocatalytic activity of CuO nanoparticles was evaluated by using MR dye. Photocatalytic activity of CuO nanoparticles increased significantly in the presence of Ag nanoparticles under visible light. The result showed that Ag/CuO nanoparticles have suitable photocatalytic activity in degradation of MR dye.