Synthesis, properties, and applications of doped and undoped CuO and Cu₂O nanomaterials

Over the years copper(II) oxide or cupric oxide (CuO) and copper(I) oxide or cuprous oxide (Cu₂O) nanoparticles have generated a great deal of interest in scientific studies. CuO and Cu₂O nanoparticles have been created using a variety of processes, including electrodeposition, metallic sputtering, hydrothermal, thermal decomposition, reactive radio frequency magnetron sputtering method, wet chemical, aqueous precipitation, co-precipitation, successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction method, combustion method, reactive magnetron sputtering, and spray pyrolysis. This review discusses how the synthesis methods affect the nanomaterials' sizes, morphologies, and shapes. The conditions and methods employed to create the CuO and Cu₂O nanoparticles directly affect how they behave. CuO nanoparticles have exceptional antibacterial, antioxidant, and dye degradation photocatalytic capabilities. Compared to gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria can be eliminated more quickly by green CuO nanostructures. CuO and CuO:Zn nanoparticles have the potential to be employed as antibacterial agents in biotechnological and agricultural fields, and the utilization of CuO spindles as photocatalysts for industrial wastewater treatment is possible. High-performance glucose sensors use CuO nanoparticles. The bandgap of optimized Cu₂O films is 2.34 eV, making them suitable for solar cell applications. Although, solar cell applications can use thicker films, charge transfer applications are best served by thinner films with a thickness of less than 100 nm. A Cu₂O film can be used as a substrate layer for semiconductor thin films made using the chemical bath deposition process as well as an electrochromic material to boost the adherence of the second layer to glass substrates.