Structural, morphological and optical properties of CuAl2O4 nanoparticles and their applications for photocatalytic and antibacterial activities.

[Display omitted] • Nanostructured CuAl 2 O 4 nanoparticles were prepared by hydrothermal method using aluminum nitrate and copper nitrate precursors. • The hydrothermal temperature and morphology play a critical role in photocatalytic activity. • The results suggest that the prepared CuAl 2 O 4 nanoparticles are good potential candidates for photocatalytic and antibacterial applications. Nanostructured CuAl 2 O 4 nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by the hydrothermal method using aluminum nitrate and copper nitrate precursors. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirms the formation of spinel CuAl 2 O 4 NPs. The average crystallite size of synthesized NPs decreased with increasing reaction time. The field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) studies revealed the cubic structure of CuAl 2 O 4 NPs. The binding energy of Cu2+ and Al3+ ions was identified by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The bandgap of synthesized NPS was found to increase with increasing reaction time. For photocatalytic measurements, the synthesized NPs were examined by degradation of Rhodamine B dye, and a maximum efficiency of 75 % was found for calcinated NPs synthesized at a reaction time of 12 h. Moreover, antibacterial activity results revealed that a better inhibition rate was found in S. aureus against human pathogenic bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]