Synthesis of copper-containing nanoparticles and their potential application as biocidal agents

Moscow Automobile and Road Construction State Technical University (MADI), Department of chemistry, 125319 Moscow, Russia

^* Corresponding author: ivmorenko@gmail.com

Abstract

The paper presents the results of a study on the possibility of obtaining Cu nanoparticles stabilized with various polymers using chemical reduction method. The following stabilizer-reductant pairs were used for nanoparticles synthesis: gelatin - ascorbic acid, polyvinylpyrrolidone - tert- butylamine borane, polyethylene oxide - hydrazine borane. The formation of Cu nanoparticles was confirmed by electron spectroscopy. All the samples studied showed an absorbance maximum in the region of 580 nm, in agreement with the literature data on the phenomenon of localized plasmon resonance of copper nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the nanoparticles are spherical with an average diameter of 6 nm. The stability of the synthesis products was evaluated by long-term incubation in test tubes under normal conditions. Nanoparticles obtained in the presence of gelatin were stable for 15 days, polyvinylpyrrolidone - 6 weeks, and polyethylene oxide - 2 weeks. The potential application of the obtained nanoparticles as biocidal agents was considered. It was found that the synergistic effect of the presence of the polymer can enhance the biocidal properties of the system. The synthesized products were found to have applications in agriculture, environmental protection, medicine, and as components of antibacterial coatings for public transportation and healthcare facilities.