Green Synthesis of Copper Nanoparticles using a Bioflocculant Extracted from Pseudomonas yamanorum and their Characterization

This study used a bioflocculant produced by Pseudomonas yamanorum as a reducing and stabilizing agent in the green synthesis of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs). Several techniques like UV-Visible absorption, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to characterize the bioflocculant and biosynthesized CuNPs. Elemental analysis showed the existence of various elements, including copper (10.30 wt.%) in the CuNPs. FT-IR analysis showed carboxyl, hydroxyl and amide groups being present in the samples. The samples appeared almost spherical and agglomerated through SEM and TEM analysis, with sizes between 40 and 50 nm. The UV-visible spectra showed absorption peaks at 280 nm (bioflocculant) and 580 nm (CuNPs). After exposure to a high temperature of 900 ºC, the samples retained more than 60% of their weight, indicating good thermal stability.