Ultrafine dispersed CuO nanoparticles and their antibacterial activity

Copper oxide nanoparticles with a particle size ranging from 80 to 160 nm were prepared by a wet chemical procedure. Copper carbonate hydroxide and sodium hydroxide were used as raw materials. Copper hydroxide was generated as a precursor which was thermally decomposed to CuO nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were characterised using atomic force microscopy, X-ray diffraction and UV-visible spectrometry. The nanoparticles were tested for antibacterial activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella paratyphi and Shigella strains.