LAUSR

Abstract This contribution reports for the first time, room temperature biosynthesis of p-type CuO nanoparticles carried out using Callistemon viminalis’ flower extracts as a chelating agent in a process that is entirely green. Room temperature X-ray diffraction, attenuated IR total reflection spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron and Raman spectroscopy investigations confirmed the formation of single phase Tenorite bcc monoclinic CuO nanocrystals post annealing in air, at 500 °C. Photoluminescence spectroscopy with UV emissions at 356 nm (3.47 eV) and broad visible emissions at 418 nm, 561 nm, and 664 nm, support the formation in air, at 200 °C, of CuO nanoparticles with high surface-to-volume ratios and defects. As a direct application, the biosynthesized CuO nanoplatelet-containing powder dispersed in de-ionized water showed an enhancement of the thermal conductivity from 6% to 34% and a significant stability of the PVP stabilized CuO-water nanofluid.