Synthesis, Characterization and In Vitro Cytotoxic Effects of Cu:Co3O4 Nanoparticles Via Microwave Combustion Method

Utilizing microwave combustion method Co3-xCuxO4 (x = 0 and 0.5) nanoparticles were prepared utilizing l-alanine as fuel. The phase and crystal structure of Co3O4 and Cu: Co3O4 nanoparticles are studied employing X-ray diffraction technique, which further ensured the phase formation and crystallite size was determined. The crystallite size was observed to be 27.39 and 39.22 nm respectively for pure and Cu:Co3O4 nanoparticles respectively. HRSEM images of the prepared samples unveiled spherical morphology. The presence of Cu, Co and O is observed through Energy dispersive X-ray spectra. Optical bandgap values were assessed and they were observed to lie within 2.87–2.97 eV. FT-IR spectra peaks at 573 and 664 cm−1 were responsible for Co3+ of octahedral sites besides Co2+ of tetrahedral sites respectively. The M-H loops exhibited super paramagnetic behaviour. Furthermore, we have investigated the various concentrations of Co1-xCuxO (x = 0 and 0.5) nanoparticles towards potential cytotoxicity effect against the A549 human lung epithelial cancer cell lines.