Durian shell husk extract assisted synthesis of copper oxides nanoparticles for the photodegradation of paracetamol

A series of copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles catalysts were prepared via electrochemical method. The addition of different concentrations of Durian Shell Husk (DSH) extract in the electrolyte system was evaluated for degradation of paracetamol under visible light irradiation. The catalysts were characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The characterization data showed that the different sizes of CuO were obtained when the amount of DSH extract added into the electrolyte system were varied. The crystallite size of CuO prepared with DSH was decreased from 40 nm to 29 nm, which showed the role of DSH extract as a capping agent. The particle sizes reduction caused a significant increment towards paracetamol degradation. The initial degradation rate was increased from 2.67×10^-2 to 7.28×10^-2 mg/L.min. From this study, the optimum condition was noticed for CuO that was prepared by using 0.06 mg/L of DSH extract at a paracetamol initial concentration of 10 mg/L (pH 9) by using 0.1 g/L catalyst. Finally, the result could contribute to the production of copper oxide with ideal sizes using abundant agriculture waste extract for the removal of paracetamol in wastewater.