Ziziphus mauritiana mediated synthesis of copper and nickel nanoparticles for comparative efficacy in biological water purification

The burden of life on the earth is the source of biological contamination in water. Nanotechnology has promising contributions in control of microbial contaminations and medicinal plants further increase these properties. Presently, copper acetate and nickel oxide nanoparticles were synthesized using 1mM solution of each with Ziziphus mauritiana leaves extract as reducing agent. Nanoparticles were characterized through UV vis-spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope and antimicrobial properties were determined through disc diffusion method. Copper and nickel nanoparticles were adsorbed on filter paper strips and used in biological water purification. The pre and post treatment viable bacterial count of water was analyzed statistically. Absorbance peaks of copper acetate nanoparticles were recorded at 650nm while for nickel oxide nanoparticles at 250nm. The particles size of copper acetate nanoparticles through SEM was calculated up-to 47.90nm while 48.40 nm nickel oxide nanoparticles at resolution of 15kv x 60,000. The application of nanoparticle coated strips in water indicated a significant reduction of 24% and 18% in total plate count of water samples during first 2hrs of treatment. Study concluded the antimicrobial properties of copper acetate and nickel oxide nanoparticles and pawed a path for use of nanoparticles coated membranes in filtration units for biological purification of water.