Recent progress on synthesis of CuCr2O4 nanomaterials and its composites for catalytic, energy, and biomedical applications: A state-of-the-art-review

Abstract

Copper chromite nanoparticles (CuCr2O4 NPs) are in the spotlight of modern nanoscience due to their versatile applications across various scientific and industrial domains. This review addresses the synthesis of CuCr2O4 NPs, metal-doped CuCr2O4 NPs, and nanocomposites (NCs), emphasizing the key parameters, viz., reaction time, pH, temperature, precursor concentration, and the choice of fuel or surfactant that influence their morphology, crystallinity, and functional properties. CuCr2O4 NPs are fabricated using several chemical methods, namely sol-gel, co-precipitation, hydrothermal, solution combustion, ball-milling, and many more, with different types of fuels or surfactants serving as complexing agents. These materials exhibit remarkable thermal, electrical, and catalytic characteristics. The discussion extends to their broad spectrum of applications, including biological activities such as antimicrobial, anticancer, and bone regeneration, as well as their genotoxic impact. We also explore their role in photocatalysis, heterogeneous catalysis, and electrochemical applications, including supercapacitors and lithium-ion batteries. The emerging utility of CuCr2O4 NPs in sensor development is also highlighted. This review paper covers the recent advancements in the synthesis of CuCr2O4 NPs, highlighting key challenges and future directions. Analyzing the structure-property relationships and the influence of synthesis parameters on performance provides valuable insights for optimizing the design and functionalization of CuCr2O4 NPs for specific applications.