Project guide: Dr. Shraddha Kulkarni, MIT-WPU
We synthesised ceramic (CuO) nanoparticles (NPs) using metal salts and leaf extracts with known medicinal properties in Ayurveda (Moringa, Guava, Jackfruit, Amla) as precursors. The concentration of metal salt (0.1M, 0.2M) and the reaction time (3h, 5h, 7h) were varied to optimise NP yield and anti-fouling ability. We characterised the NPs using FT-IR, XRD, and SEM -EDX, confirming Cu-O bonds and estimating particle size to be around 750nm due to agglomeration. We also performed anti-bacterial tests using the agar well diffusion method, and we are currently performing experiments to evaluate anti-fouling capacity when coated on catheter tubing.
