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Biogenic nanoparticles: copper, copper oxides, copper sulphides, complex copper nanostructures and their applications

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Abstract

Copper nanoparticles have been the focus of intensive study due to their potential applications in diverse fields including biomedicine, electronics, and optics. Copper-based nanostructured materials have been used in conductive films, lubrification, nanofluids, catalysis, and also as potent antimicrobial agent. The biogenic synthesis of metallic nanostructured nanoparticles is considered to be a green and eco-friendly technology since neither harmful chemicals nor high temperatures are involved in the process. The present review discusses the synthesis of copper nanostructured nanoparticles by bacteria, fungi, and plant extracts, showing that biogenic synthesis is an economically feasible, simple and non-polluting process. Applications for biogenic copper nanoparticles are also discussed.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank FAPESP, CNPq, INOMAT (MCTI/CNPq), the Brazilian Network of Nanotoxicology (MCTI/CNPq), NANOBIOSS (MCTI/CNPq) and FONDECYT project 1130854 for their support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, Temuco, Chile and Scientifical & Technological Bioresource Nucleus, Universidad de La Frontera, P.O. Box 54-D, Temuco, Chile

    Olga Rubilar, Gonzalo Tortella & Maria Cristina Diez

  2. Department of Biotechnology, Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University, Amravati, 444 602, Maharashtra, India

    Mahendra Rai

  3. Exact and Earth Sciences Department, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema, São Paulo, Brazil

    Amedea B. Seabra

  4. Biological Chemistry Laboratory, Institute of Chemistry, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, C. P. 6154, Campinas, São Paulo, 13083-970, Brazil

    Nelson Durán

  5. Center of Natural and Human Sciences, Universidade Federal do ABC, São Paulo, Brazil

    Nelson Durán

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  1. Olga Rubilar
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Correspondence to Olga Rubilar.

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Rubilar, O., Rai, M., Tortella, G. et al. Biogenic nanoparticles: copper, copper oxides, copper sulphides, complex copper nanostructures and their applications. Biotechnol Lett 35, 1365–1375 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-013-1239-x

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