Transformation of used aluminium foil food container into AlOOH nanoflakes with high catalytic activity in anionic azo dye reduction.

Synthesis of aluminium-based nanomaterials from aluminium-waste has received huge attention in current scientific research. Herein, an attempt was made to convert aluminium foil food container into aluminium oxyhydroxide (AlOOH) nanoparticles by a precipitation method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), spectroscopic and electron microscopic studies were employed to characterize impure AlOOH (containing sodium chloride, NaCl) and pure AlOOH samples. The band gap (Eg) of AlOOH nanoparticles was found to be 4.5 eV. The catalytic potential of AlOOH samples was evaluated using reduction of methyl orange (MO) and Eriochrome black T (EBT) dyes. Impure AlOOH nanoparticles could reduce 99.8% of MO and EBT dye within 4 min and 3 min respectively. Effect of the AlOOH dosage and NaBH4 concentration on catalytic reduction was determined. Used aluminium foil food container-derived AlOOH nanoparticles will become a low-cost and sustainable catalyst in the catalytic treatment of azo dye contaminated waters.