Projects per year
Abstract
Biomineralization is a ubiquitous process in organisms to produce biominerals, and a wide range of metallic nanoscale minerals can be produced as a consequence of the interactions of microorganisms with metals and minerals. Copper-bearing nanoparticles produced by biomineralization mechanisms have a variety of applications due to their remarkable catalytic efficiency, antibacterial properties, and low production cost. In this study, we demonstrate the biotechnological potential of copper carbonate nanoparticles (CuNPs) synthesised using a carbonate-enriched biomass-free ureolytic fungal spent culture supernatant. The efficiency of the CuNPs in pollutant remediation was investigated using a dye (methyl red) and a toxic metal oxyanion, chromate Cr(VI). The biogenic CuNPs exhibited excellent catalytic properties in a Fenton-like reaction to degrade methyl red, and efficiently removed Cr(VI) from solution due to both adsorption and reduction of Cr(VI). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) identified the oxidation of reducing Cu species of the CuNPs during the reaction with Cr(VI). This work shows that urease-positive fungi can play an important role not only in the biorecovery of metals through the production of insoluble nanoscale carbonates, but also provides novel and simple strategies for the preparation of sustainable nanomineral products with catalytic properties applicable to the bioremediation of organic and metallic pollutants, solely and in mixtures.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 001116 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Microbiology |
Volume | 167 |
Issue number | 12 |
Early online date | 9 Dec 2021 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2021 |
Keywords
- biosynthesis
- bioremediation
- copper nanoparticles
- fungi
- Neurospora crassa
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Microbiology
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Dive into the research topics of 'Application of fungal copper carbonate nanoparticles as environmental catalysts: organic dye degradation and chromate removal'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 2 Finished
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COG3: The Geology, Geometallurgy and Geomicrobiology of Cobalt Resources Leading to New Product Streams (joint with Natural History Museum and Universities of Manchester, Bangor, Exeter, Loughborough and Southampton and Industrial Partner)
Gadd , G. M. (Investigator)
1/05/15 → 31/03/21
Project: Research
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Tellurium and Selenium Cycling and Supply (Joint with Universities of Leicester, Durham, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Aberdeen and Open University and Natural History Museum)
Gadd , G. M. (Investigator)
1/05/15 → 4/03/20
Project: Research