Green synthesis and multifunctional performance of Cu/TiO 2 nanoparticles from Beta vulgaris leaf extract for diclofenac degradation and biomedical applications

This study successfully synthesized copper-doped TiO2 nanoparticles using an eco-friendly approach with Beta vulgaris leaf extract. Comprehensive characterization revealed well-defined nanoparticles with UV-Vis spectroscopy showing characteristic absorption peaks at 279 and 459 nm, confirming surface plasmon resonance, while FTIR analysis demonstrated successful copper doping through characteristic metal-oxygen bonds (Cu-O, Cu-O-Ti-O) at 833 and 672 cm−1. XRD analysis confirmed the tetragonal rutile crystal structure, and SEM-EDS with TEM characterization revealed spherical, polycrystalline nanoparticles of 10–25 nm with confirmed elemental composition. The nanoparticles exhibited exceptional multifunctional performance: remarkable photo catalytic activity (98.65% diclofenac degradation), potent antibacterial activity against Gram-positive (S. aureus, B. cereus) and Gram-negative (E. coli, Pseudomonas) pathogens, significant antifungal effects against C. albicans and T. viride, notable antioxidant capacity (48.52% DPPH scavenging), and promising cytotoxicity against Vero cells (IC50 = 25 µg/mL) along with anticancer activity against MCF-7 breast cancer cells. These findings highlight the potential of biosynthesized Cu/TiO2 nanoparticles for environmental remediation and biomedical applications.