Nano-scale zerovalent copper: green synthesis, characterization and efficient removal of uranium

Uranium is carcinogenic ion and if present in water above its permissible limit, is very harmful to living beings. The main objective of this study is the removal of uranium from water sample using nano zero-valent copper prepared by green synthesis from Anacardium occidentale testa extract by a fully environment-friendly and cost-effective process without involvement of any hazardous chemicals. The formation of the A. occidentale-Cu nanoparticle is characterized through UV-Visible spectroscopy, FTIR, SEM-EDS, XRD and HR-TEM analysis. The adsorption capacity of copper nanoparticles, effect of pH, adsorbent and adsorbate dosage and contact time are studied and analyzed by Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm. (author)