Efficient Removal of mg dye from Textile Effluent using Microwave Assisted Catalytic Degradation by rice like Morphology MgO/CuO Nanocomposite

Continuous release of toxic organic dyes into aquatic environments presents serious environmental and public health concerns, thereby driving the need for effective and sustainable remediation approaches.This studyreports the synthesis of a MgO/CuO nanocomposite (NC) via a facile hydrothermal route and its application as a highly effective catalyst for the degradation of Malachite Green (MG) dye. The structural, morphological, and phase characteristics of the synthesized nanocomposite were comprehensively analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). XRD analysis confirmed the formation of a heterophase crystalline structure, with an average crystallite size of 17.56 nm calculated using the Debye–Scherrer equation.The catalytic performance of the MgO/CuO nanocomposite was evaluated under microwave irradiation (300 W), achieving a remarkable degradation efficiency of 90.18% within 60 s. The enhanced catalytic activity is attributed to the synergistic interaction between MgO and CuO, which promotes improved charge transfer, increased surface area, and enhanced reactive site availability. The degradation pathway and intermediate species were elucidated using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS, QTOF), providing insights into the underlying reaction mechanism.Furthermore, the effects of key operational parameters, including solution pH, catalyst dosage, and recyclability, were systematically investigated. Notably, high degradation efficiency was achieved even at low catalyst loading, highlighting the material excellent catalytic effectiveness and environmental compatibility. These findings demonstrate that the MgO/CuO nanocomposite is a promising, cost-effective, and eco-friendly candidate for rapid wastewater treatment applications.