Abstract

This work reports a simple, novel, cost effective and eco-friendly electrolytic synthesis of copper nanoparticles using copper sulphate as metal precursor. The synthesis rate is much faster than other methods and this approach is suitable for large scale production. They are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD); scanning electron microscope and Fourier transform-infra red (FT-IR) techniques to analyze size, morphology and functional groups. XRD studies reveal a high degree of crystallinity and monophasic nature of copper nanoparticles. Their particle size is found to be 24 nm and specific surface area (SSA) is 28 m²/g. SSA analysis of copper nanoparticles reports that increasing their SSA improves their antibacterial actions. Microbiology essay finds that copper nanoparticles are effective against Escherichia coli and Bacillus megaterium bacteria. SSA of bacteria analysis reveals that it plays a major role while on reactions with antimicrobial agents.

Key words: X-ray diffraction (XRD), copper nanoparticles, Williamson Hall plot, electrolysis, Debye-Scherrer.