Antibacterial activity and photocatalytic dye degradation of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) using Justicia gendarussa

The present study explores a facile, non-toxic, and ecofriendly synthesis of biomolecules functionalized copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) using Justicia gendarussa (J.gendarussa) leaf extract for the first time. The leaf extract was used as a potential capping and stabilising agent for the reduction of copper ions to CuONPs.The structure, morphology, elemental composition, and stability of the synthesised CuONPs were characterised using UV, FTIR, FESEM–EDX, TEM, and DLS analyses. The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of the CuONPs exhibited a strong characteristic band at 340 nm. The capping of biomolecules in the synthesised CuONPs was confirmed by FTIR. The SEM and TEM analyses showed that the synthesised CuONPs were nano flower in shape and the size ranged between 10 and 15 nm. The existence of elements, Cu (56.70) and O (43.30), was confirmed by EDX analysis. The functionalised biomolecules of CuONPs exhibited bactericidal activity against both Gram negative and Gram positive pathogens. The photocatalytic ability of the CuONPs was tested against the textile dye, methylene blue (MB) using natural irradiation method. The results of this study revealed that the synthesised CuONPs proved to be an interesting candidate in wastewater treatment and biomedical applications.