Bio-Reductive Synthesis and Characterization of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles (CuONPs) Using Alternanthera sessilis Linn. Leaf Extract

Objectives: The aim of present study was to synthesize and characterize copper oxide nano particles (CuONPs) from leaf extract of Alternanthera sessilis (Linn). Materials and Methods: Green synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles has been carried out from aqueous copper sulphate using leaf extract of Alternanthera sessilis (Linn.). The bio-molecules present in the leaf juice react with copper sulphate, upon reduction at room temperature resulted in the formation of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs). Results: Synthesized nanoparticles (NPs) were studied by SEM- EDAX to investigate the morphology. NPs were spherical and the size in the range of 22.6nm to 25.2nm. The EDAX spectrum revealed the presence of copper oxide. FT-IR spectrum examined the occurrence of bioactive functional groups required for the reduction method. The elemental composition of synthesized product was determined by XRF technique. The oxidation state of NPs was confirmed through the XPS spectra. Conclusions: This room temperature, one-pot green synthesis shows promising results for producing CuO nanoparticles in a low cost, eco- friendly process. Metal nanoparticles with antimicrobial activity when embedded and coated on to surfaces can find immense applications in water treatment, synthetic textiles, biomedical and surgical devices, food processing and packaging.