Antibacterial and photocatalytic activity of CuO nanostructure films with different morphology

CuO nanostructures with different morphology were formed on copper substrate by in situ crystallization one-step process via chemical method at room temperature. The as-grown copper oxide nanostructure films were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform-infra red spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis. The XRD and FT-IR analysis confirm the formation of monoclinic CuO nanostructures. SEM images show gradual development of nanostructures of copper oxide with different morphology. A possible growth mechanism was also proposed here. The photo catalytic activity of this CuO nanostructure films was evaluated by monitoring the photo-degradation of salicylic acid. Also antibacterial activity of these films was studied against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria’s. Results demonstrated that CuO thin film possesses good photo catalytic as well as antibacterial activity. Being low cost and easily available material, CuO nanostructures might have promising applications in the field of environmental remediation for organic pollutant degradation.