Eco-friendly green and biosynthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles using Citrofortunella microcarpa leaves extract for efficient photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamin B dye form textile wastewater

Leaves extract of Citrofortunella microcarpa (Calamondin) is used for synthesis of Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) as a green and environment friendly as reducing agent as well as capping agents. The optical, structural and morphological characteristics of CuO-NPs are explored using UV–vis spectroscopy, XRD, SEM and FTIR. EDS and SEM established the purity and spherical-like shape of CuO-NPs having size range of 54–68 nm. The synthesis was affirmed by UV–vis spectroscopy exhibiting surface plasmonic resonance at 270−300 nm whereas XRD showed monoclinic phase of prepared NPs with space group C2/c. Moreover, presence of functional groups responsible for synthesis was monitored using FTIR. The synthesized CuO-NPs were employed as photocatalyst for purification of Rhodamin B (RhB) dye polluted water and represented 98% degradation efficiency under UV light exposure. Therefore, this study reports a promising cost effective, facile and green biosynthesis of CuO photocatalyst which is a potential candidate for remediation of dye polluted water.