Fabrication of copper oxide nanoparticles for the targeted management of onychomycosis caused by Trichophyton rubrum

This study focused on the synthesis, characterization, and antifungal activity evaluation of copper oxide Nanoparticles (CuO NPs) against Trichophyton rubrum (MTCC 296), a fungus responsible for onychomycosis. The synthesis optimization was carried out using the Design of Experiments (DOE) approach, where optimal conditions for CuO NPs production were determined: a 0.2 M copper nitrate concentration, 0.2 M sodium hydroxide concentration, pH 9, 60°C reaction temperature, and a 60-minute reaction time. Under these conditions, CuO NPs with a size range of 15–25 nm were synthesized and characterized using SEM, TEM, FTIR, DLS, and zeta potential analysis, confirming their crystalline structure and stable dispersion.