Abstract
This study employed a bottom-up technique to synthesize copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles over hydrophilic graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets. The CuO/GO nanocomposite has been prepared using two selected precursors of copper nitrate and citric acid with an intermittent mixing of GO solutions. The synthesized Nanocomposites were characterized using different biophysical techniques like FT-IR, NMR, FE-SEM, and HR-TEM analyses. FT-IR analyses confirm the nanocomposites’ successful formation, which is evident from the functional groups of C=C, C-O, and Cu-C stretching vibrations. Morphological analyses reveal the depositions of CuO nanoparticles over the planar rough GO sheets, which has been elucidated from the FE-SEM and HR-TEM analyses supported by respective EDAX analyses. The antimicrobial activities have been evident from the surface roughness and damages seen from the FE-SEM analyses. The CuO/GO sheets were tested against Gram-positive (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa). It is evident that the intrinsic antibacterial activity of CuO/GO sheets, when combined in equal proportions, elicited a robust antibacterial activity when tested over Gram –ve representative bacteria Escherichia coli. The antioxidant behaviour of synthesized CuO/GO nanocomposite was evaluated by scavenging the free radicals of DPPH and ABTS. Moreover, the cytotoxic activity was also studied against epidermoid carcinoma cell line A-431. A brief mathematical formulation has been proposed in this study to uncover the possibilities of using the nanocomposites as potential drug candidates in theranostic applications in disease treatment and diagnosis. This study would help uncover the electronic properties that play in the nano-scaled system at the material-bio interface, which would aid in designing a sensitive nano-electromechanical device bearing both the therapeutic and diagnostic attributes heralding a new horizon in the health care systems.
Highlights
Owing to the intrinsic direct band gap nature, p-type attributes, robust electrochemical behaviour, and the lower cost of fabrication, the studies over Copper Oxide (CuO) nanomaterials have seen an exponential rise in different fields applications [1, 2]
The direct band gap value of pristine Cupric Oxides (CuO) nanoparticles is basically a p-type semiconductor with a value range of ~1.2–1.85 eV, attracting numerous applications from gas sensors for hydrogen, volatile organic compounds, catalysis, and especially in photovoltaic solar cells, electrochemical coatings etc. [4,5,6,7,8]. Owing to such widespread utility in electrochemical and sensing applications, the synthesis of CuO nanoparticles at laboratory conditions is of paramount importance
It is well known that Graphene Oxide (GO) nanosheets are hydrophilic in nature owing to their available Oxygen groups linked with the structure, available defect attributes, which make the GO nanosheets perfectly soluble in water for different applications [13]
Summary
Owing to the intrinsic direct band gap nature, p-type attributes, robust electrochemical behaviour, and the lower cost of fabrication, the studies over Copper Oxide (CuO) nanomaterials have seen an exponential rise in different fields applications [1, 2]. [4,5,6,7,8] Owing to such widespread utility in electrochemical and sensing applications, the synthesis of CuO nanoparticles at laboratory conditions is of paramount importance. It is well known that Graphene Oxide (GO) nanosheets are hydrophilic in nature owing to their available Oxygen groups linked with the structure, available defect attributes, which make the GO nanosheets perfectly soluble in water for different applications [13]. Several reports have been studied to ascertain the implications of GO sheets in sensor studies
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