Green Synthesis of Sucrose-Mediated Copper Oxide Nanoparticles: a Comprehensive Study on Photocatalytic Efficiency, Antioxidant Potential, and Antimicrobial Properties

Abstract

The growing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly methods in nanoparticle production has driven interest in utilizing renewable resources. In this study, we developed a green synthesis method for producing copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles using sucrose as a natural reducing agent. This approach provides an environmentally benign alternative that avoids toxic chemicals, paving the way for broader applications of CuO nanoparticles in biotechnology and environmental remediation. The synthesized CuO nanoparticles were characterized by TEM, DLS, FTIR, and XRD, confirming a spherical morphology with a size range of 30–40 nm. These nanoparticles demonstrated a high photocatalytic efficiency in degrading penicillin G, a widely used antibiotic, under optimized conditions. Specifically, by adjusting the nanocatalyst concentration, pH, and initial antibiotic concentration, we achieved a degradation rate of over 90%, indicating the potential of these nanoparticles for wastewater treatment in removing pharmaceutical contaminants. In addition to their photocatalytic performance, the CuO nanoparticles exhibited strong antioxidant activity, with a DPPH inhibition rate reaching 84% at a concentration of 2000 μg/ mL. This suggests that these nanoparticles can effectively neutralize free radicals, which may be beneficial in biomedical applications where oxidative stress plays a key role.