Abstract
This research involved the synthesis of secondary nano copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) at a pH of 9 via the hydrothermal method. Subsequently, the CuO NPs were integrated with a polymer mix of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) using the electrospinning technique to produce fibres from the resulting composite material, which exhibited improved properties and achieved commendable homogeneity between the inorganic and organic phases. The synthesised nanofibers were analysed utilising advanced techniques, including Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), to examine the surface structure, morphological characteristics, and nanoparticle distribution within the fibres. The results displayed an excellent homogeneous fibrous structure and efficient dispersion of CuO particles within the prepared fibers. Energy-Dispersive X-ray (EDX) an study was conducted to verify the presence of encapsulated CuO, Cu, and O elements, in the PAN-PMMA nanofibers, with other constituent elements. Furthermore, FTIR spectra was conducted to detect functional groups and ascertain potential interactions between the CuO nanomaterial and the PAN-PMMA polymer blend. The results displayed Nanofibers have garnered significant attention over the last two decades owing to their a slight shift in the positions of some peaks, confirming the presence of interactions between the composite components. The optical characteristics of the synthesised fibres were examined by UV-Vis spectroscopy to assess the absorption behaviour and energy gap. The antibacterial efficacy of the synthesised fibres was assessed against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus, revealing significant inhibitory activity against both species. This phenomenon is ascribed to the CuO NPs, which generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) that undermine the bacterial cell wall and other cellular components. The PAN–PMMA matrix facilitated superior nanoparticle distribution and augmented the effective surface area, hence increasing interaction with bacterial cells. These findings suggest significant potential for these fibres in antibacterial applications.
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