Green synthesis of copper nanoparticles using Celastrus paniculatus Willd. leaf extract and their photocatalytic and antifungal properties

Graphical abstract

Highlights

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  Green synthesis of CuNPs by leaf extract of C. paniculatus.

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  CuNPs showed characteristic peak at 269 nm with particle size of 2−10 nm.

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  CuNPs Characterized via UV–vis spectroscopy, FT-IR, SEM-EDS, TEM, and DLS analysis.

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  Antifungal activity tested against F. oxysporum.

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  Photocatalytic degradation of organic dye methylene blue using CuNPs.

Abstract

This research aimed to explore the eco-friendly green synthesis of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) using Celastrus paniculatus leaves extract. Primarily, the biosynthesized CuNPs characterized by UV–vis spectroscopy showed an absorption peak at 269 nm. Further, The SEM and TEM studies revealed the spherical shape of particles with size ranged between 2−10 nm with an average particle diameter of 5 nm. FT-IR analysis confirmed the presence of functional groups —OH, C [Private characterE00C ] C and C—H triggers the synthesis of CuNPs. The negative zeta potential -22.2 mV indicated the stability of CuNPs was confirmed by DLS and the composition and purity by EDS studies. Further, the photocatalytic property of the CuNPs was divulged by their methylene blue dye degradation potential. The reaction kinetics followed pseudo-first-order with k-values (rate constant) 0.0172 min ⁻¹. In addition, this material was found to be a good antifungal agent against plant pathogenic fungi Fusarium oxysporum showed 76.29 ± 1.52 maximum mycelial inhibition.