Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue with copper(II) oxide synthesized by thermal decomposition of Flubendazole complexes

• Nano-tenorite were synthesized from thermal decomposition of Flubendazole complexes.
• The polymorph and morphology of nano-particles were investigated by XRD and SEM.
• Photo-acceleration of the degradation process of methylene blue was reported.
• Electronic structures were assigned by the aid of TD-DFT calculations.
• Hybridization, electronic arrangements and M-L interactions were discussed.

Novel copper(II) complexes of an anti-parasitic Flubendazole drug (FLU), [Cu(FLU)2X2]·zH2O (X = Cl− (1), C2H3O2− (3), and ClO4− (4), z = 1–4) and [Cu(NO3)(FLU)2(OH2)]∙NO3∙2H2O (2) were synthesized and characterized using elemental analysis, TG, IR, EPR, magnetic and conductance measurements. Geometry optimization and natural bond orbital analysis were performed at DFT/B3LYP/6-31G* level of theory. Electronic transitions were calculated by TD-DFT. Tenorite (CuO) nanoparticles with promising catalytic properties were prepared in air via the controlled thermal decomposition of 1–4. The polymorph and morphology of the prepared nano-tenorite particles were investigated by powder XRD and field emission scanning electron microscope. The catalytic degradation of methylene-blue (MB) dye exposed to the UV radiation in presence of CuO nanoparticles as a catalyst was studied at room temperature in water.

Thermal decomposition of Flubendazole copper(II) complexes gave Tenorite nanoparticles, which were as catalyst in the catalytic degradation of methylene-blue dye exposed to UV radiation.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide