Sustainable Fabrication of Cu–Ni Bimetallic Nanoparticles Using Sichuan Extract for Catalytic Environmental Remediation

ABSTRACT

The development of sustainable and highly efficient nanocatalysts for environmental remediation remains a major challenge in green chemistry. Herein, an eco‐friendly approach is reported for the synthesis of Cu–Ni bimetallic nanoparticles (SP‐CuNiBMNPs) using Zanthoxylum armatum (Sichuan pepper) extract as a natural reducing and stabilizing agent. Bioactive phytochemicals present in the extract, including hydroxyl‐α‐sanshool, rutin, quercetin, epicatechin, and limonene, directed the controlled nucleation and growth of stable bimetallic nanostructures. The synthesized SP‐CuNiBMNPs exhibited nearly spherical morphology with an average particle size of 66.7 nm and demonstrated remarkable catalytic activity toward the reduction of 4‐nitrophenol and degradation of methyl orange and methylene blue, achieving ∼99% conversion within 12, 10, and 8 min, respectively, under low catalyst loading. Moreover, the catalyst retained excellent activity over five consecutive cycles, indicating outstanding stability and reusability. The synergistic Cu–Ni interface, together with phytochemical‐derived surface functionalities, facilitated rapid interfacial electron transfer and abundant accessible active sites, resulting in superior catalytic performance. Collectively, the excellent catalytic efficiency, remarkable recyclability, and sustainable phytochemical‐mediated synthesis render SP‐CuNiBMNPs highly promising candidates for practical wastewater treatment and the development of next‐generation green nanocatalytic systems for large‐scale environmental remediation.