Publication

Abstract : Cellulose-copper nanocomposite was prepared by the reduction of copper sulphate with the fruit extract of Citrus limonum in presence of previously swelled cellulose fibers in deionized water. The topography and surface morphology of cellulose was studied using AFM and HR-SEM respectively. The EDS spectra showed the presence of copper in the nanocomposite. X-ray diffraction showed the structural perseverance of cellulose through the preparation of the nanocomposite. The surface resonance Plasmon band in optical spectroscopy confirmed the presence of copper nanoparticles. IR spectroscopy predicted various organic groups present in the nanocomposite. Cellulose-copper nanocomposite showed good to moderate anti-microbial activity employing the Agar disc diffusion method against four bacterial strains and one fungal strain using Kanamycin as standard, at different concentration of the nanocomposite. Candida albicans, a diploid fungus, was the most susceptible to the nanocomposite. Excellent Free radical scavenging activity of the nanocomposite was observed by modified 1,1-diphynyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH and 2,2-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), ABTS in-vitro assays.