Synthesis of copper nanostructures: Antimicrobial applications and environmental remediation of emerging agrochemicals

Instead of rare and expensive catalytic noble metal nanoparticles such as gold, silver, titanium, and platinum, inexpensive Earth-abundant metals have become prominent with regard to many processes such as water treatment and soil remediation. In particular, the use of nano-zero valent metals such as iron and copper and their metal oxides have received increasing interest. The chemical and physical properties of these nanoparticles have accelerated their search for use as metal oxides and nanostructures supported by various types of materials. In this book chapter, various synthesis methods were reviewed for Cu and Cu-based nanoparticles (such as zero-valent copper, copper oxides) and different support materials (such as metal oxides, graphene oxide, chitosan). Besides, the application of various Cu-based nanostructures in agrochemistry (i.e., antimicrobial activity, adsorption, and photocatalytic activity) was discussed for emerging agrochemicals.