Green synthesis of plate-shaped CuONPs using Macleaya cordata (Wild.) R.BR extracts for photocatalytic degradation and antibacterial properties

A method of green chemistry approach to synthesize copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) was reported using extracts from the root, stem, and leaves of the Macleaya cordata (Wild.) R.BR as reducing and stabilizing agents. Copper acetate precursor (Cu(CH3COO)(2)) was used for green synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles through reduction and oxidation reactions. The synthesized CuONPs were characterized using UV-Vis, XRD, FTIR, SEM, TEM, zeta potential, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The results of these analyses provided valuable insights into the structure, shape, functional groups, and elemental composition of the synthesized CuONPs. The antibacterial activity of the green synthesized CuONPs was evaluated using an agar diffusion assay. The result shows that the inhibition effect was concentration-dependent, and at the highest concentration (5 mg/mL), the CuONPs exhibited strong antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, with inhibition zones of 21 mm and 23 mm, respectively. The photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) at a concentration of 10 mg/mL by CuONPs (10 mg/mL) was evaluated using a photochemical reaction apparatus under simulated natural light. The degradation rate was found to be 65% within 3 h and 93% after 24 h. The degradation rate of higher concentrations of MB (100 mg/mL) was 47.9%. These results indicate that the synthesized CuONPs have great potential for rapidly breaking down textile dyes and exhibit exceptional antibacterial properties. This suggests that these nanoparticles could play a significant role in the development of sustainable nanotechnology.