Sonochemical synthesis of Bi2CuO4 nanoparticles for catalytic degradation of nonylphenol ethoxylate

A facile one-step sonochemical synthesis of Bi2CuO4 nanoparticles in aqueous solutions has been achieved at room temperature by ultrasound irradiation of copper (II) acetate and Bismuth (III) nitrate in the presence of sodium hydroxide and polyvinylpyrrolidone (stabilizing polymer). During the sonication, several processes or chemical reactions occurred, i.e., hydrolysis of both copper (II) acetate and bismuth (III) nitrate, takes place simultaneously to form stoichoimetric Bi2CuO4 nanoparticles. The products were well characterized by a number of analytical techniques, including XRD, XPS, Raman spectroscopy, FESEM. HRTEM and BET sorption isotherms. The catalyst material is very effective for the removal of a wastewater pollutant (nonylphenol ethoxylate) by a process that combines heterogeneous catalysis with ozonation. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.