Browsing by Author "Bouafia, Abderrhmane"

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Eco-friendly Ca/α-Fe2O3/ZnO/CuO nanocomposite: Green synthesis, characterization, and high-efficiency heavy metal removal from contaminated sludge
(John Wiley and Sons Inc, 2025) Saoud, Abdesselam; Bouafia, Abderrhmane; Meneceur, Souhaila; Younsi, Ferroudja
This study explores the green synthesis of Ca/α-Fe2O3/ZnO/CuO nanocomposite using Mentha pulegium L. leaf extract as a bioreducing and stabilizing agent for eco-friendly remediation. XRD confirmed a multiphase crystalline structure—cubic Ca, rhombohedral α-Fe2O3, hexagonal ZnO, and monoclinic CuO—with an average crystallite size of 24.42 ± 3.07 nm. SEM revealed ~50 nm agglomerated nanoparticles with rough surfaces, enhancing catalytic reactivity. FTIR identified metal–oxygen bonds (FeO, ZnO, CuO, CaO) and plant-derived functional groups, confirming stabilization. UV–Vis showed strong absorption at 275 nm with direct (3.07 eV) and indirect (1.70 eV) bandgaps, suitable for UV/visible-light applications, and the low Urbach energy (0.211 eV) further reflected the material's high crystallinity. TGA-DSC demonstrated 49% residual mass at 1200°C, reflecting strong thermal stability. A zeta potential of −29.06 mV ensured colloidal stability. The nanocomposite efficiently removed heavy metals from petroleum sludge, achieving 84.1% (Pb), 74.6% (Zn), 72.3% (Se), and 73.7% (Cr), while arsenic removal was relatively lower at 24.9%, highlighting current adsorption challenges. Adsorption involved diffusion and chemical fixation, underscoring potential in remediation, photocatalysis, and optoelectronics
Removal efficiency of heavy metals, oily in water, total suspended solids, and chemical oxygen demand from industrial petroleum wastewater by modern green nanocomposite methods
(Elsevier, 2023) Meneceur, Souhaila; Bouafia, Abderrhmane; Laouini, Salah Eddine; Mohammed, Hamdi Ali; Daoudi, Henda; Chami, Souheyla; Hasan, Gamil Gamal; Abdullah, Johar Amin Ahmed; Salmi, Chaima
In the present work, we discuss the concern over heavy metals, such as As(III), Bi(II), Cd(II), Cr(VI), Mn(II), Mo(II), Ni(II), Pb(II), Sb(III), Se(-II), Zn(II), and the degradation of oil in water (OIW) saturated with hydrocarbons, total suspended solids (TSS), and chemical oxygen demand (COD) in petroleum wastewater, which pose a significant threat to aquatic and terrestrial life. To address this issue and preserve biodiversity, researchers conducted a study on the synthesis and characterization of ZnO@CuO nanocomposite (NC) using Mentha pulegium L leaf extract. The characterization techniques employed included UV-Vis spectrophotometry, FTIR spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), Thermogravimetric Analysis (DSC–TGA), and Zeta potential. The results showed that the ZnO@CuO NC achieved 100% removal efficiency under optimal conditions. Furthermore, the kinetics of the removal process were well described by both the first and second-order kinetic models. The isotherm studies of heavy metals, OIW, TSS, and COD revealed that the adsorption process followed well the Langmuir isotherm model. Overall, this study highlights the potential of green-synthesized ZnO@CuO NPs as effective adsorbents for the remediation of heavy metals and pollutants in petrochemical wastewater.
Removal of hydrocarbons and heavy metals from petroleum water by modern green nanotechnology methods
(2023) Bouafia, Abderrhmane; Meneceur, Souhaila; Chami, Souheyla; Laouini, Salah Eddine; Daoudi, Henda; Legmairi, Souheila; Menaa, Farid
Considered heavy metals, such as As(III), Bi(II), Cd(II), Cr(VI), Mn(II), Mo(II), Ni(II), Pb(II), Sb(III), Se(-II), Zn(II), and contaminating chemical compounds (monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as phenolic or polycyclic derivatives) in wastewater (petrochemical industries: oil and gas production plants) are currently a major concern in environmental toxicology due to their toxic efects on aquatic and terrestrial life. In order to maintain biodiversity, hydrosphere ecosystems, and people, it is crucial to remove these heavy metals and polluting chemical compounds from the watery environment. In this study, diferent Nanoparticles (α-Fe2O3, CuO, and ZnO) were synthesized by green synthesis method using Portulaca oleracea leaf extract and characterized by UV–Vis spectrophotometers, FTIR spectroscopy, X-Ray Difraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) techniques in order to investigate morphology, composition, and crystalline structure of NPs, these were then used as adsorbent for the removal of As(III), Bi(II), Cd(II), Cr(VI), Mn(II), Mo(II), Ni(II), Pb(II), Sb(III), Se(-II), and Zn(II) from wastewater, and removal efciencies of were obtained 100% under optimal conditions