Green Synthesis of Copper Nanoparticles Using Sargassum spp. for Electrochemical Reduction of CO2

• Published in: ChemistryOpen (Weinheim) Vol. 13; no. 5; pp. e202300190 - n/a
• Main Authors: Figueroa Ramírez, Sandra Jazmín, Escobar Morales, Beatriz, Pantoja Velueta, Diego Alonso, Sierra Grajeda, Juan Manuel T., Alonso Lemus, Ivonne Liliana, Aguilar Ucán, Claudia Alejandra
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken John Wiley and Sons Inc 01.05.2024; Wiley-VCH
• Subjects: biocarbon; CO2 reduction; copper nanoparticles; Sargassum spp
• ISSN: 2191-1363; 2191-1363
• DOI: 10.1002/open.202300190

This study presents a green method of producing copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) using aqueous extracts from Sargassum spp. as reducing, stabilizing, and capping agents. The CuNPs created using this algae‐based method are not hazardous, they are eco‐friendly, and less toxic than their chemically synthesized counterparts. The XRD characterization of the CuNPs revealed the presence of Cu and CuO, with a crystallite size ranging from 13 to 17 nm. Following this, the CuNPs were supported onto a carbon substrate, also derived from Sargassum spp. (biochar CSKPH). The CuNPs in biochar (CuNPs‐CSKPH) did not appear in the XRD diffractograms, but the SEM‐EDS results showed that they accounted for 36 % of the copper weight. The voltamperometric study of CuNps‐CSKPH in acid media validated the presence of Cu and the amount was determined to be 2.58 μg. The catalytic activity of CuNPs‐CSKPH was analyzed for the electrochemical reduction of CO2. The use of Sargassum spp. has great potential to tackle two environmental problems simultaneously, by using it as raw material for the synthesis of activated biochar as support, as well as the synthesis of CuNPs, and secondly, by using it as a sustainable material for the electrochemical conversion of CO2. CuNPs were synthesized using a cost‐effective and environmentally friendly extract applying Sargassum spp. as versatile reducing agent. In this study, CuNPs with nanoflower morphology were synthesized. The experimental characterizations (XRD, SEM, and TEM,) recommend that the green synthesis method has promising effect for the synthesis of CuNPs, stable and homogeneously dispersed onto biochar. The CuNPs‐CSKPH is promising electrocatalyst for the electrochemical reduction of CO2.