Characterization of Copper Complex Nanoparticles synthesized by Plant Polyphenols

In this paper a kind of copper oxide material of copper–polyphenols complex nanoparticles (Cu–P NPs) were synthesized by Cinnamomum pedunculatum leaves extract, which have different morphology and appearance compared with usual copper oxides Cu2O and CuO. For better understanding about this material, the Cu–P NPs were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). It was found that synthesized Cu–P NPs were amorphous with spherical particles ranged from 80 to 500 nm. XAS data analysis indicated that the synthesized Cu–P NPs has different molecular structure with Cu2O and CuO. It is assumed that the copper ions chelated with polyphenol molecule. The nanoparticles showed a clear anti Escherichia coli activity in this study, and may also be used in fields of semiconductor, ceramic, catalyst, and sensor. This synthesis approach provided a novel route to manufacture copper oxide nanomaterial.