ABSTRACT Biofilm‐associated infections continue to pose a major challenge in healthcare, industrial processes, and environmental systems due to their high resistance to conventional antimicrobial therapies. Among emerging nanotechnological strategies, copper (Cu) and copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles have gained significant attention for their potent and broad‐spectrum antibiofilm activity. This review provides a comprehensive mechanistic insight into the antibiofilm actions of Cu/CuO nanoparticles, which are primarily mediated through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), disruption of microbial cell membrane integrity, interference with quorum‐sensing pathways, and inhibition of extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) synthesis, ultimately leading to biofilm destabilization and eradication. The efficacy of these nanoparticles is strongly influenced by their physicochemical properties, including particle size, morphology, surface charge, crystallinity, and surface functionalization, which govern their interaction with microbial systems. Furthermore, this review critically addresses key limitations hindering their large‐scale and clinical translation, such as cytotoxicity toward mammalian cells, environmental impact, stability, and scalability challenges. Emerging strategies, including green synthesis approaches, surface engineering, and the development of hybrid nanocomposites, are discussed as promising solutions to enhance biocompatibility, specificity, and overall therapeutic performance. Collectively, Cu and CuO nanoparticles represent a promising and innovative class of antibiofilm agents with substantial potential to transform current strategies for biofilm control in both clinical and industrial applications.
Gupta et al. (Mon,) studied this question.