Phyto assisted synthesis and characterization of Scoparia dulsis L. leaf extract mediated porous nano CuO photocatalysts and its anticancer behavior

In this scientific report we present the synthesis of series of copper oxide nanostructures with porous nature using very rapid and efficient Solution Combustion Synthesis (SCS) methodology. The synthesis utilizes various volumes of crude leaves extract of Scoparia dulsis L. (SD). that has definite role in directing the particle size of copper oxide nanoparticles (CSD NPs) during the reduction process. The CSD NPs are well characterized by the various analytical and microscopic tools. FT-IR spectra confirms the Cu–O bond formation. The p-XRD patterns reveals the formation of copper oxide nanoparticles with average particle size of 11.95–16.64 nm. The porous morphology of the nanostructures and the elemental composition purity are evident from the micrographs obtained from Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) coupled with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS). UV–Vis spectroscopic analysis was carried out and band gap via Tauc-plot relation and was found in the range of 3.47–3.96 eV. A large surface to volume ratio and the pore volume of CSD NPs was observed by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) and Barrett–Joyner–Halenda (BJH) analysis. The prepared nanoparticles show enhanced photocatalytic study rendering two model dyes (Methylene blue and Methyl orange) to colorless degraded products after 180 min with efficiency more than 90%. Significant invitro anti-inflammatory behavior is observed for all CSD NPs with % protection of HRBC more than 82%. The CSD NPs proved significant cytotoxicity effect against adenocarcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial cells with IC₅₀ value more than 95 µg/ml. Thus, the CSD NPs are believed to possess multifaceted applications in environmental and biomedical fields.