Green Synthesis and Characterization of Copper-Based Nanoparticles Using Polyalthia longifolia and Catharanthus roseus Extracts
Author : Shenbagam Madhavan
Abstract :
Green nanotechnology offers sustainable approaches for nanoparticle synthesis using plant-derived phytochemicals. This study presents a combined green synthesis of copper and zinc oxide nanoparticles (CuO/ZnO NPs) using hydrous leaf extracts of Polyalthia longifolia and Catharanthus roseus. Both plants contain bioactive compounds flavonoids, phenolics, alkaloids, terpenoids, and tannins that acts as natural reducing and neutralizing agents. The NPs were synthesized by reducing copper ions under controlled conditions and characterized using (FTIR), (XRD), and (SEM). FTIR confirmed the involvement of plant phytochemicals in capping, XRD revealed crystalline CuO phases with particle sizes 20–40 nm, and SEM images showed predominantly spherical nanoparticles. The biogenic nanoparticles demonstrate potential applications in antimicrobial activity, catalysis, environmental remediation, and biomedical systems. The dual-plant synthesis approach highlights the synergistic benefits of phytochemical diversity in controlling nanoparticle morphology and stability.
Keywords :
Polyalthia longifolia, Catharanthus roseus, green synthesis, copper oxide nanoparticles, phytochemicals, FTIR, XRD, SEM.
