A review on green synthesis and characterisation of copper nanoparticles using plant extracts for biological applications

The ‘green’ synthesis of metal nanoparticles has emerged as a prominent and environmentally friendly method in materials science for synthesising various nanoparticles. Among all, copper nanoparticles, with their versatile applications across multiple industries, have garnered significant attention. Plant-derived components, including fruits, leaves, flowers, roots, shoots, seeds, and bark, contain active compounds that facilitate the reduction and stabilisation of copper ions to form copper nanoparticles. Harnessing the reducing power of these plant extracts offers a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to conventional chemical methods, minimising environmental impact. The synthesis process yields copper nanoparticles with unique properties suitable for diverse biomedical, agricultural, and ecological applications. Characterisation techniques such as UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and many more discussed in detail provide insights into their physicochemical properties. Moreover, these nanoparticles’ biological activities and potential applications in drug delivery, antimicrobial agents, catalysis, and plant growth promotion are discussed. This review highlights significant progress in utilising green synthesis for copper nanoparticle fabrication, underscoring their promising role in advancing various fields of science and technology, including biomedical applications.