Green Synthesis of Ceiba pentandra copper nanoparticles and their characterization

In the present study, Ceiba pentandra (CP) aqueous leaf extract was used for the synthesis of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs). Techniques like UV-visible spectrophotometer, SEM, EDX, XRD and in vitro antioxidants assay were used to characterize synthesized nanoparticles. UV-Visible spectrophotometer showed absorbance peak at 310 nm. SEM analysis demonstrated that the CuNPs are spindly shaped structures with average size of about 62.63nm. XRD analysis revealed the face centered cubic like structures of CuNPs. Ceiba pentandra copper nanoparticles (CP-CuNPs) exhibited good in vitro antioxidant activities i.e. 80 % inhibition of free radicals with DPPH assay, 70% inhibition of H2O2 with hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay and 75% inhibition in phosphomolybdenum assay compared to leaf extract. Hence the above protocol is a humble, fast, environmentally friendly, non-hazardous and an alternative for physical/chemical methods.