Green synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles by pulsed laser ablation in spinach leaves extract

Copper (Cu) and copper oxide (CuxO) nanoparticles (NPs) were fabricated via a green method using Pulsed Laser Ablation in Liquid (PLAL) technique. The Q-switched Nd:YAG laser of wavelength 532 nm was focused on a solution containing pure copper powder mixed in spinach leaves extract. The effect of ablation time, ablation medium and laser irradiance on the propreties of the produced particles were investigated. Analytical methods were employed to characterize the produced particles such as X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). TEM images showed nearly spherical NPs with diameters from 1-12 nm depending on the laser parameters. Furthermore, the TEM images showed planes spacings related to Cu and CuxO NPs which were confirmed with the XRD analysis. The size of the produced NPs was affected by the irradiation time. The liquid medium did not have a great effect on the size of the fabricated NPs. However, using spinach extract supported the production of more CuxO NPs, in comparison to using distilled water. This investigation can provide guidance to a green synthesis technique for fabricating CuxO NPs using spinach leaves extract as an ablation medium.