Biogenic synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles: Characterization and biosensing application

Abstract

Nanotechnology is potentially an emerging field of science, and the advances in the field have led to great advancements in various domains, like biomedical, environmental, and agriculture. Copper and copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) are known to exhibit potent antimicrobial activity. The biological synthesis of CuO NPs is rapidly gaining importance due to its growing success. Hence, the present work focuses on the biogenic synthesis of CuO NPs using a stem latex of peepal (Ficus Religiosa) and salt of copper, that is, copper sulphate pentahydrate. Copper oxide nanoparticles are used as crucial inorganic material in various fields such as catalysis, sensors, biosensors, superconductors, ceramics, photovoltaic, thermal resistance, antioxidant activity and antibacterial activity. In this study, we have reported an environmentally benign route for the biogenic synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles using milky latex of Ficus religiosa at room temperature. The visual color change indicates the initial formation of copper oxide nanoparticles and is then validated by the UV-vis spectroscopy technique. After this, the CuO NPs were also characterized using dynamic light scattering (DLS), Zeta-potential, FTIR, TEM, SEM, AFM, and XRD. After the characterization, the CuO NPs were electrodeposited using electrophoretic deposition (EPD) on ITO (Indium tin oxide)-glass substrate and the fabricated electrode was used to immobilize pesticide-specific enzyme. After the enzyme immobilization, the electrode was further characterized in this work by utilizing electrochemical analysis [cyclic voltammetry (CV) and Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV)]. The desired work is novel due to biogenic CuO NPs utilization for fabricating electrochemical biosensor devices for pesticide detection. Hence, it will open a new avenue for developing nanobiosening devices through a greener and sustainable approach that utilizes phytochemicals and not toxic chemicals.