Neem flower extract assisted green synthesis of copper nanoparticles – Optimisation, characterisation and anti-bacterial study

Abstract

Development of an eco-friendly process for the synthesis of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) is an important aspect in the field of nanotechnology. In recent years the employment of secondary metabolites from aqueous plant leaf extract has emerged as a novel technology for the synthesis of various nanoparticles. In the following research work copper nanoparticles were synthesized using the aqueous flower broth ofAzadirachta indica, (NEEM) and the conditions pertinent to the formation of CuNPs were optimised. The phytochemicals present in the plant induce the reduction of Cu2+ions to CuNPs and also act as a capping and stabilizing agent. The formation of CuNPs was monitored by studying the absorbance spectra during the synthesis process. The formations of CuNPs were corroborated by UV–Vis, ATR-FTIR, SEM, HRTEM, and XRD analyses.