Catalyst to Cure: A Multifunctional Cu2O Nanoparticle Catalyst Synthesized using Muntingia Calabura Fruit Extract

Abstract

The development of environmentally benign methodologies for nanoparticle synthesis has attracted substantial scholarly interest in recent years. In the present investigation, Cu₂O NPs were synthesized via an eco-friendly, biologically-mediated process utilizing Muntingia calabura fruit extract (MCFE), which acted both as a reducing and stabilizing agent. The successful formation of Cu₂O NPs was meticulously characterized using an array of advanced analytical techniques, including UV–vis spectroscopy, XRD, SEM, and FTIR spectroscopy. These comprehensive characterizations collectively affirmed the successful synthesis, crystallinity, and surface functionalization of the nanoparticles. Subsequently, the Cu₂O NPs were employed as highly efficacious catalysts in the copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction—an exemplary instance of click chemistry—facilitating the synthesis of 1,4-disubstituted-1,2,3-triazoles under mild, solvent-free conditions. The catalytic efficacy of the Cu₂O NPs was systematically assessed in terms of reaction yield, selectivity, and recyclability, demonstrating remarkable catalytic performance and sustainability. In parallel, the bioactivity of the Cu₂O NPs was rigorously evaluated, revealing significant antioxidant properties, in addition to potent antibacterial and antifungal activity against a broad spectrum of pathogenic microorganisms. These findings not only underscore the diverse potential of Cu₂O NPs in catalytic applications but also highlight their considerable promise as bioactive agents.