Montmorillonite-supported with Cu2O nanoparticles for damage and removal of Microcystis aeruginosa under visible light

The montmorillonite supported with Cu2O nanoparticles was prepared by reduction of Cu2+ absorbed by montmorillonite using glucose and ethylene glycol as reductant. X-ray diffraction and IR spectrum depicted the maintenance of the host structure of montmorillonite and the presence of crystallite Cu2O nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy demonstrated the Cu2O nanoparticles were either intercalated into the interlayer space of montmorillonite or dispersed homogeneously on the surface of montmorillonite, and the size of Cu2O nanoparticles were varying from 5 to 10 nm. Energy dispersive X-ray showed the loading amount of Cu2O in montmorillonite interlayer was around 26.31%. Cu2O-montmorillonite was used for adsorbent, flocculant and photocatalyst to remove Microcystis aeruginosa, removing 90.4% of M. aeruginosa in 3 h under visible light. The synergy of adsorption-flocculation and photocatalysis of Cu2O-montmorillonite promoted the aggregation of M. aeruginosa and then the cell damage mainly associated with cell membrane attack and inclusion degradation by photocatalysis of Cu2O, leading to the inhibition of physiological activity of M. aeruginosa. Cu2O-montmorillonite was an effective algae removal material for the emergency control of cyanobacteria bloom. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.