Synthesis of CuAl₂O₄ nanoparticles by mixed chelates thermolysis and homogeneous precipitation using solubility difference reactions; Taguchi optimization and photocatalytic application

In the present study two novel methods are reported for preparation of nano crystalline copper aluminate (CuAl₂O₄).The first one is based on the pyrolysis of mixed Aluminum and Copper chelates of cupferron. The nanoparticles prepared by the first method were spherical with high specific surface area and smaller size in respect to the particles of second method. The nano crystals of CuAl₂O₄ at optimum conditions were spherical, with average particle size of 15.2 nm. In the second method the CuAl₂O₄ nano spindles with high purity were synthesized by a novel homogeneous solubility difference reactions using magnesium hydroxide as initial material. The Taguchi L₈ statistical design was employed for procedure optimization of the chelates thermolysis method. The structure and morphological properties of products have been investigated using X-ray diffraction, Thermogravimetric Analysis, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, fourier transform infra-red, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, Dynamic laser light scattering and elemental micro analysis. The photocatalytic activity of nanocrystalline CuAl₂O₄ obtained by first procedure was investigated for degradation of crystal violet (C₂₅N₃H₃₀Cl) as a model pollutant and UV lamp as energy source. The results revealed that about 98 % degradation of crystal violet could be achieved at 120 min.