Structural, Morphological and Antibacterial Characterization of CuO Nanowires

The present research focuses on the synthesis, characterization and antibacterial effect of copper oxide (CuO) nanowires. CuO nanowires were produced in situ on a copper (Cu) foil by a thermal oxidation method. The effect of annealing time (i. e. 3, 5, 7, and 9 h) of the growth procedure on the morphology and antibacterial properties of the nanowires was studied. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Raman spectroscopy were used to investigate the crystallographic, morphological, and spectroscopic properties of the obtained CuO nanowires respectively. The antibacterial effects of CuO nanowires against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria were also examined. The samples had an excellent antibacterial performance. It is found that the annealing time plays an important role on the morphology of CuO nanowires and their antibacterial properties.