Evaluation of structural parameters of monoclinic nanocrystalline CuO and study of sunlight-driven photocatalytic dye degradation, antimicrobial and antioxidant potential

Abstract

Highly pure, crystalline and spherical-shaped Copper oxide nanoparticles (NPs) have been synthesized via facile chemical coprecipitation. Various models including the Scherrer, Monshi-Scherrer, Williamson-Hall, Size-Strain Plot and Halder-Wagner method have been applied to study the crystal structure characteristics. The lattice parameters associated with the monoclinic crystal lattice of CuO NPs were estimated to be a = 4.69 Å, b = 3.41 Å, c = 5.14 Å and β = 99.87(degree), unit cell volume V = 81.35ų and cell density d_x = 6.49 g/cm³. The photocatalytic dye degradation proficiency at 20 mg/l CuO concentration and 120 min sunlight exposure results the order of percentage dye degradation Malachite Green (88.4%) > Crystal Violet (70.8%) > Eosin Yellow (70.2%) > Methylene Blue (54.08%) dyes. The antimicrobial activity assessment was done against the broad-spectrum pathogenic microbes unveiled the exceptional microbial controlling capability of CuO NPs. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity test demonstrated the potential free radical scavenging activity of CuO NPs with an IC₅₀ value of 47.733 µg/ml.

Highlights

• Synthesis of pure and spherical shaped nanocrystalline CuO was done by using low cost and facile chemical coprecipitation method.

• XRD, FTIR, FESEM, EDX, UV-Vis, and Raman spectroscopic techniques were used for characterization purpose.

• The structural and crystallographic parameters of monoclinic crystal structure of CuO NPs were evaluated successfully.

• The photocatalytic performance of CuO NPs follow the percentage dye degradation order as MG (88.4%) > CV (70.8%) > EY (70.20%) > MB (54.08%) after 120 minutes of sunlight exposure.

• CuO NPs exhibit promising antifungal activity against COVID-19 associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis (CAPA) causing pathogenic fung.

• CuO NPs show potential DPPH free radical scavenging activity with an IC₅₀ value of 47.733 µg/ml.

Keywords:

• CuO nanoparticles
• structural studies
• photocatalytic activity
• antifungal activity
• antibacterial activity
• antioxidant activity

Author contributions

Kahkashan R. Shaikh: Conceptualization, Investigation, Writing - Original Draft, Faiza A. Saif: Methodology, Abhijeet R. Pawar: Formal analysis, Bhalchandra Waykar: Supervision, visualization Prabhakar B. Undre: Validation, Writing- review and editing

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

HIGHLIGHTS

Additional information

Funding

This research work is financially supported by Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, New Delhi under the INSPIRE Fellowship program to author Kahkashan R. Shaikh (Sanction Order No. DST/INSPIRE Fellowship/2018/IF180792).