Rhodamine-B degradation, chromium removal and bactericidal potential of Cu–ZnO@ZrO2 nanoneedles fabricated via green route

Nanoparticles are being used for diverse environmental as well as biomedical applications due to their versatile features. In current work, a facile green synthesis route was employed for the fabrication of Cu–ZnO@ZrO 2 nano-needles (NNs) using Momordica charantia ( MC ) stem extract and ZrO 2 was used as a precursor along with CuCl 2 and ZnCl 2 . UV–Vis and FTIR analysis confirmed the formation of Cu–ZnO@ZrO 2 NNs. XRD studies confirmed orthorhombic geometry and FE-SEM images confirmed needle like structure of the prepared Cu–ZnO@ZrO 2 . Catalytic potential of the synthesized NNs was evaluated in terms of its efficiency towards degradation of rhodamine-B (Rh–B) dye. Degradation was achieved up to 98 % in 14 min in the presence of NNs. Conditions were optimized for the maximum removal of the dye using ascorbic acid (AA) as a reducing agent. Synthesized NNs sample was tested against another toxic pollutant i.e. Cr (VI) that was removed up to 65 % from aqueous medium. Promising antibacterial activity of the NNs was recorded against gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial strains. The results of the current study revealed promising features of NNs suggesting its use for the removal of microorganisms, organic and metallic pollutants. Authors would strongly suggest the fabrication of nanocomposites of same composition for the treatment of toxic pollutants in aqueous medium. • Green synthesis of Cu–ZnO@ZrO 2 nano-needles was achieved. • Characterization was done employing state of the art analytical techniques. • SEM indicated Needles like morphology of Cu–ZnO@ZrO 2 nanocomposite. • Toxic pollutants including chromium, dye and pathogens were removed from water. • Synthesized nano-needles can be used for the removal of multiple aqueous pollutants.