Microwave-assisted and Ultrasonic Phyto-synthesis of Copper Nanoparticles: A Comparison Study

Abstract

Elimination of hazardous chemicals in the process of synthesis, which guarantees the safety of the nanoparticles (NPs) for therapeutic utilization, could be obtained by using the phyto-synthesis method. The present project is a multidimensional survey that aimed to optimize the phyto-synthesis conditions of copper nanoparticles (Cu NPs) using the microwave and ultrasound-assisted methods and facilitate approaching the dilemma of choosing between these two methods by characterizing the final products of each method. Based on the transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the obtained NPs were sub 10 nm in both methods. The optimized NPs were achieved in 5 min using 6 mL of phytoextract at 95 ℃ in a microwave oven, and amplitude 100% and cycle 0.8 in an ultrasonic processor. In addition to the antibacterial property and molecular wound healing stimulation of Cu NPs, these amorphous nanoscale particles could provide desirable absorption and distribution over the wounds to be suggested as an effective transdermal drug delivery system. The ultrasound-assisted method was the most appropriate way to obtain an amorphous mixture of Cu NPs with a majority of copper oxide while the microwave-assisted method was more suitable for synthesis procedures using plant extracts with heat-sensitive and volatile components.

Keywords

• phytonanotechnology
• phyto-synthesis
• copper nanoparticles
• fraxinus excelsior
• regenerative medicine
• drug delivery system