Eco-Friendly Fabrication of Copper Nanoparticles using Citrus sinensis Peel Extract; Comparative Insights and Characterization

Copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) were synthesized via green methods using orange peel extracts as reducing agents. Orange peels collected from Jhang, Pakistan, were washed, sun-dried, and powdered for extraction. Two different copper salts, copper sulfate pentahydrate and copper acetate monohydrate, were used as precursors. The resulting nanoparticles were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, SEM, and XRD techniques. UV-Vis analysis revealed distinct peaks at 566-580 nm, indicating successful nanoparticle formation. SEM analysis showed varying particle sizes, with copper sulfate-derived nanoparticles averaging 26 nm and copper acetate-derived nanoparticles around 44 nm. XRD results confirmed high crystallinity in both nanoparticle types. The study demonstrates that orange peel extracts effectively reduce copper ions, offering a sustainable approach to CuNPs synthesis with potential for future applications. Further optimization is needed to improve particle uniformity and reduce aggregation.