Abstract
Single crystalline nanoparticles of copper oxide (CuO) having almost uniform particle size of similar to 40 +/- 10nm have been synthesized by a facile and versatile route. The technique employed is free from toxic solvents, organics, and amines, and is based on a simple reaction of copper powder and de-ionized water (DI) at very low temperatures of 180(circle)C. The morphology, chemical composition, and crystalline structure of the nanoparticles were carefully investigated by the various characterization techniques. Besides simplicity, the advantages of producing nanoparticles by this method are that it is easeful, flexible, fast, cost effective, and pollution free. The synthesized nanoparticles are under investigations for various applications including their antibacterial activity.