Synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles embedded in porous chitosan membrane for photodegradation of organic dyes

Dye-contaminated water from industry is hazardous to human and aquatic lives. Membrane technology is considered a viable approach to resolve the issue. Herein, copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) embedded in porous chitosan membranes have been prepared using a solution-casting approach with sodium tripolyphosphate as a crosslinker and polyethylene glycol as a porogen. The prepared membranes have been characterized by physicochemical, mechanical and photocatalytic properties. FTIR results indicate some hydrogen bonding across CuO NPs and the chitosan matrix. XRD and TGA analyses reveal that the membranes are thermally stable and somehow crystalline. SEM examination indicates that the membrane surfaces express porous/roughened texture. The contact angle measurement indicates that the pure chitosan and CuO NPs-embedded membranes are hydrophobic, whereas PEG-leached porous chitosan membranes express hydrophilicity. CuO NPs reinforcement has significantly improved the tensile strength, whereas the elongation at break decreased. The CuO NPs incorporated in chitosan membranes exhibit exceptional photocatalytic activities against methyl orange and methylene blue dyes for their effective removal from aqueous media.