A Cost-Effective Approach to Triphenylamine-Assisted Fabrication of Stable Cu₂O Nanoparticles: Structural Analysis...

Research interest in nanomaterials has surged because of their unique physical and chemical characteristics that differentiate them from their bulk counterparts, such as electrical resistivity, strength and hardness, chemical reactivity, optical and electronic properties and a wide range of adaptable biological activity. The primary objective of this study was to develop a facile and cost-effective method for the triphenylamine-assisted synthesis of stable copper (I) oxide (Cu₂O) nanoparticles (NPs) and to comprehensively evaluate their potential optical, electronic, and antibacterial applications. This present study is the first report of a facile and effective method to triphenylamine-assisted synthesis of stable copper (I) oxide (Cu₂O) nanoparticles (NPs).

After triphenylamine-assisted synthesis of Cu₂O NPs, the synthesized NPs were comprehensively characterized through X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The antimicrobial activity of the Cu₂O NPs was evaluated using the disk diffusion method and determination of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against four clinically significant bacterial strains.

XRD analysis confirmed the crystalline cubic structure of Cu₂O NPs, while TEM and SEM revealed spherical morphology with an average particle size of 10-60 nm with the highest frequency of 30 nm in diameter. Optical, electronic and antimicrobial properties of Cu₂O NPs were also studied. UV-Vis spectra exhibited a distinct absorption peak at 275 nm and 280 nm in formic acid and N-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) solvents, respectively. Electronic properties were investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV) analyses and electron transitions (direct and indirect) in UV-Vis. Results of antibacterial activities indicated dose-dependent inhibition. The synthesized NPs showed significant efficacy, particularly against Gram-positive bacteria.

These findings highlight the potential of stable Cu₂O NPs as durable antimicrobial agents for biomedical and its electrical and optical characteristics making it appropriate for various uses in photovoltaics, sensors, and photocatalysis and industrial applications, offering enhanced longevity and effectiveness compared to conventional counterparts.