Eco-friendly synthesis of CuO/g-C₃N₄/Fe₃O₄ nanocomposites for efficient magnetic micro-solid phase extraction (M-μ-SPE) of trace cadmium from food and water samples


Ahmed H. E. H., Güy N., SOYLAK M.

Food Chemistry, vol.470, 2025 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 470
  • Publication Date: 2025
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.142626
  • Journal Name: Food Chemistry
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, PASCAL, Aerospace Database, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, Chemical Abstracts Core, Chimica, Communication Abstracts, Compendex, EMBASE, Food Science & Technology Abstracts, Metadex, Veterinary Science Database, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Keywords: Cadmium, CuO/g-C₃N₄/Fe₃O₄ nanocomposite, Food, Green synthesis, Magnetic micro-solid phase extraction (M-μ-SPE), Water
  • Erciyes University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

In this study, a green synthesis method for synthesizing a novel nanocomposite (CuO/g-C₃N₄/Fe₃O₄) utilizing renewable dragon fruit peels as the primary raw material was developed. Hydrothermal and thermal decomposition techniques were used for nanocomposite synthesis. This nanocomposite was subsequently employed for the separation and preconcentration of Cd(II) from various environments, including food and water samples. Characterization of the nanocomposite was conducted utilizing FTIR, XRD, and SEM, which confirmed the successful combination of both metal oxides with g-C₃N₄ within the composite structure. The method exhibited efficient extraction of Cd (II) with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.65 μg L−1 and high recovery values (84–108 %) in real sample analyses. Optimization of parameters, including pH (8.0), adsorbent quantity (10 mg), and vortex mixing times (1 min for both), were studied to enhance extraction efficiency. This method demonstrates significant potential for environmental applications and provides a low-cost and sustainable approach for separating/enriching trace heavy metals, like Cd (II), with minimal environmental impact.