A NEW INSIGHT INTO THE RECYCLING OF HYPERACCUMULATOR: SYNTHESIS OF THE MIXED CU AND ZN OXIDE NANOPARTICLES USING BRASSICA JUNCEA L.

Abstract

The mixed Cu and Zn oxide (Cu/ZnO) nanoparticles have been synthesized using Brassica juncea L. plants. The synthesized Cu/ZnO nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive spectrum (EDS). It was found that the synthesized Cu/ZnO nanoparticles were corresponding to the Cu_0.05Zn_0.95O structure. The shapes of the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles were nonuniform, but the CuO nanoparticles showed a spherical shape. The CuO nanoparticles entered in the structures of ZnO nanoparticles. An average size of 97 nm was obtained for Cu_0.05Zn_0.95O. The Cu_0.05Zn_0.95O nanoparticles were pure. The method for synthesis of Cu_0.05Zn_0.95O nanoparticles using Cu hyperaccumulator (B. juncea) plants constitutes a new insight into the recycling of hyperaccumulator and provides a novel route for further development of green nanostructure syntheses.

KEY WORDS::

• Hyperaccumulator
• Brassica juncea L.
• Cu_0.05Zn_0.95O
• nanoparticle

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21003081).