ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Analysis of optimized CuS nanoparticles against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria

K. M. Srishti Barnwal, Yukti Gupta, Neena Jaggi, Neeraj Kumar Aggarwal, and Ritu Sharma

Department of Physics, National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra, India

E-mail: srishti215barnwal@gmail.com

Received: 24 February 2025  Accepted: 15 July 2025

Abstract:

CuS is an eminent metal chalcogenide with the presence of Cu²⁺ metal cations which act as natural killers for pathogenic bacteria. This research work comprises eco-friendly hydrothermal synthesis of CuS nanoparticles at varying reaction times and further antibacterial study of optimized sample. The sample was optimized for 12-h reaction time based on its structural and morphological studies. Due to relatively wider (X-ray diffraction peaks, lower crystallinity, and less agglomerated spherical morphology, optimized sample fosters better diffusion of sample in agar media and provides larger surface area for bacterial interaction. The optimized sample was also analyzed for its optical characteristics using ultraviolet–diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy. In vitro antibacterial activities of optimized sample against Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas putida, and Staphylococcus epidermidis bacterial strains are corroborated by measuring the zone of inhibitions as 24 mm, 28 mm, and 26 mm, respectively. This highlights optimized CuS sample as a prominent antibacterial agent in antibiotics, medical implants, direct delivery of antibacterial drugs, and food packaging.

Keywords: CuS nanoparticles; Antibacterial; Antibiotics; Bacillus subtilis; Pseudomonas putida; Staphylococcus epidermidis

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-025-04257-4

Chemical Papers 79 (10) 7183–7195 (2025)