Bio-functionalization, stabilization and potential functionalities of hyaluronate macromolecules capped copper oxide nanoparticles

The optical-electrical properties of CuO-NPs (copper oxide nanoparticles) are being expanded widely for high-technological uses. In accordance with the idea of an eco-friendly synthesis process, CuO-NPs were synthesized utilizing a safer method; stabilized by biopolymer sodium hyaluronate (SH) rather than a hazardous substance. Using one variable at one time method with constant reaction variables, the synthesis parameters were optimized and the characteristics of CuO-NPs were controlled. The resulting particles exhibited restricted distribution, were typically round or oval in form and particle size of 17 ± 1.3 nm (by TEM and SEM), strongly crystalline (by XRD) and were noticeably stable. The experimental analysis of FT-IR documented that the redox reaction between biopolymers and metal cations; coupled by capping effect of thin layer of SH-macromolecules, are primarily responsible for the formation and stabilization of CuO-NPs. Also, CuO-NPs exhibited strong bactericidal (ZOI 22–27 nm; antibiofilm potential 71–85%), anti-diabetic (70–72%), DNA cleavage and antioxidant activity (70–85%). Additionally, SH-stabilized CuO-NPs demonstrated catalytic activity for the reduction of catalytic dyes, degrading at a rate of over 91–93% in about 10–20 min. The current synthetic technique may be applied consecutively to synthesize catalytically active CuO-NPs which exhibited remarkable in-vitro biological and biomedical capabilities, possessing the potential to be exploited as a broad-based agent in a variety of biomedical and industrial processes, including the treatment of wastewater. •The synthesized CuO-NPs exhibited UV-Visible absorption peak at 575 nm for reduction of Cu2+ into Cu0.•The synthesized CuO-NPs displayed spherical shape with an average size around 17.4 ± 1.3 nm.•CuO-NPs demonstrated excellent antibacterial activity against E. coli (27 mm) followed by S. aureus (22 mm) and reduced viability of biofilm (15–29%).•The synthesized NPs showed potential dye degradation efficiencies of 93% and 91% in dyes RR195 and RY145, respectively.