Plant extract-mediated green-synthesized CuO nanoparticles for environmental and microbial remediation: a review covering basic understandings to mechanistic study

This review provides a comprehensive overview of nanoparticles, with a particular focus on plant extract-mediated green-synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs). This article is one of the simplest to read as it aims at beginner researchers, who may not have advanced knowledge on topics like nanoparticles, including metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, their classification, and techniques to prepare them. Various synthesis procedures are discussed, emphasizing green synthesis methods that utilize plant extracts as reducing and stabilizing agents. Subsequently, the mechanisms involved in the formation of CuO NPs are highlighted. Their significant applications with a mechanistic overview on environmental remediation, especially in the eradication of textile dyes and pharmaceutical wastes, and their antimicrobial properties are elucidated. By carefully scrutinizing the information available in the literature, this article aims to equip novice researchers with a foundational understanding of nanoparticles, their synthesis, and their practical applications, fostering further exploration in the field of nanotechnology.