Saffron extract-mediated synthesis of Cu(OH)2 nanocomposite: Structural and photocatalytic activity investigation

We report a green and eco-friendly route for copper hydroxide Cu(OH) 2 rods-like synthesis using an aqueous extract of Saffron-assisted NaOH co-precipitation method. The structural, morphology, photodegradation, and optical properties were extensively investigated using SEM/HR-TEM, XRD, EDS, FT-IR, and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The structural analysis of biosynthesized material revealed a crystalline Base-centered orthorhombic of space-group Cmcm , whereas the morphological characterization showed a randomly oriented layering rods like. The UV–Vis spectra indicated an absorption peak at 307 nm and broadband around 401 nm. The photodegradation degradation of 2, 4-dichlorophenol (2, 4-DCP) in the presence of Cu(OH) 2 nanocomposite under various UV–Vis light irradiation times indicated good photocatalytic activity that reaches an efficiency of 70%. Thus, the biosynthesized Cu(OH) 2 -composite material can reasonably be adopted as a promising photocatalyst organic pollutants under UV–Vis irradiation. Graphical abstract