Environmental Applications of Green Engineered Copper Nanoparticles

Naturally engineered nanomaterials in recent times have myriad potential in different fields. Moreover, green derived nanoparticles (NPs) encourage broader implementation for wider applications. Amongst many metals, copper and its oxide-based nanoparticles (CuONPs) have increased utmost consideration owing to its specific characteristics, abundance, and cost-effectiveness. Major setback of chemical and physical methods of synthesising CuONPs involves high cost along with environmental hazards. Aforementioned challenge compelled researchers to explore green synthesised CuONPs that is much cheaper, efficient, economically beneficial, non-toxic, and eco-friendly. Existing plant-based CuONPs have potential efficiency to enhance the toxic effects against the plant pathogens and combating environmental pollution through bioremediation. Several extracts of plant derivatives have been used for the synthesis of CuONPs such as Azadirachta indica, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Murraya koenigii, Moringa oleifera, Tamarindus indica, Eclipta prostrate, Olea europaea, etc. Microbes as cell factories are more efficiently used as NPs compared to larger plants such as, green algae Botryococcus braunii, brown algae Macrocystis pyrifera, Bifurcaria bifurcate etc. Bio-based CuONPs have been applied in numerous fields such as pharmaceutical, molecular biology, bioremediation, cosmetics, textiles etc. Several of them also employed in dye degradation, water treatment, food preservation, Photovoltaic devices, solar energy conversions, and field emission emitters. However, as in clinical setup due to their efficacy these are exclusively used as anticancer, antimicrobial agents. Further, their high antioxidant potential renders them as an invaluable tool for biomedical devices.