Biocidal properties of CuO nanoparticles

Abstract

Biocides are products used to prevent or control the spread of various harmful organisms such as bacteria or viruses. Silver and gold nanoparticles are mostly used as active substances of biocides used in the medical field. However, a more economically acceptable alternatives are different copper compounds, specifically copper(II) oxide. CuO nanoparticles were gained via sonication method from copper(II) acetate in a sodium hydroxide solution. Physical and chemical properties of gained CuO nanoparticles were investigated by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Biocidal tests were performed on bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis, as well on fungi Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger using the disc diffusion method. The ultrasonic irradiation method was found to yield pure CuO nanoparticles smaller than 70 nm. Also, EDS measurement verified the stoichiometric distribution of copper and oxygen in the sample. Antimicrobial properties were proven excellent for both bacteria and fungi except for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, for which CuO nanoparticles seem to have low effect.