One step preparation of green reduced copper oxide nanorods using Citrus sinensis L. peel extracts and evaluation of their photocatalytic degradation of Rose Bengal dye and antibacterial activity

ABSTRACT

Modern development in nanoscience and nanotechnology has contributed to the varied uses of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles in numerous arena of sciences, research organisations and industries. Among all metal oxides, copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) has reached more responsiveness as a result of its unique properties and applications. Herein, we report a one-step hydrothermal preparation of a photocatalytically stable copper oxide nanorods (g-CuO NRs) in the presence of Citrus sinensis L. peel extracts. The as prepared g-CuO NRs was used for photocatalytic activity in degradation of Rose Bengal (RB) under visible light irradiation. Upon 30 min of visible light irradiation, the g-CuO NRs photocatalyst exhibits an excellent photocatalytic activity (94.5%) for degradation RB. In addition, the g-CuO NRs were further tested for their antibacterial activity against gram-negative Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria and the test results showed improved antibacterial activity with the increase concentration of g-CuO NRs. The outcome of this work highlights the g-CuO NRs to be an interesting material for treatment of organic dyes and biomedical applications.

Graphical abstract

KEYWORDS:

• Green synthesis
• g-CuO nanorods
• photocatalyst
• antibacterial activity

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest

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