Green Synthesis of Cuprous Oxide Nanoparticles Using Andean Capuli (Prunus serotina Ehrh. var. Capuli) Cherry

Copper oxide nanoparticles have gained considerable attention in the past two decades due to their simplicity and exhibit a range of potentially useful physical properties. In the present study, a simple, low cost, and environmental friendly synthesis of Cuprous oxide (Cu2O) nanoparticles using Prunus serotina Ehrh. var. Capuli cherry extract has been reported. The phytochemicals of Capuli cherry induce the reduction Cu2+ ions to Cu2O and also act as capping agent. UV-vis spectroscopy technique confirms the formation of Cu2O NPs at lambda(max) = 446.5 nm (energy bandgap = 2.77 eV). Morphology, crystallinity and surface properties of nanoparticles were studied using Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), Dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. STEM and DLS characterization indicated the formation of spherical Cu2O NPs of average size 30-55 nm. The XRD analysis confirmed that as-synthesized Cu2O were face-centered cubic (FCC) crystalline structures. The produced Cu2O nanoparticles exhibited good photocatalytic activity for degradation of Thioflavin T dye (> 60%, 90 min). In future, the present investigation could prove to synthesize nanoparticles in bulk and also for environmental remediation.

Automated summary

The study successfully synthesized low-cost, environmentally friendly copper oxide nanoparticles using Canadian cherry extract, which exhibited good photocatalytic activity. The nanoparticles showed good morphology and crystallinity, and could potentially be used for environmental remediation.