In this paper a kind of copper oxide material of copper-polyphenols complex nanoparticles (Cu-P NPs) were synthesized by Cinnamomum pedunculatum leaves extract, which have different morphology and appearance compared with usual copper oxides Cu 2 O and CuO. For better understanding about this material, the Cu-P NPs were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). It was found that synthesized Cu-P NPs were amorphous with spherical particles ranged from 80 to 500 nm. XAS data analysis indicated that the synthesized Cu-P NPs has different molecular structure with Cu 2 O and CuO. It is assumed that the copper ions chelated with polyphenol molecule. The nanoparticles showed a clear anti Escherichia coli activity in this study, and may also be used in fields of semiconductor, ceramic, catalyst, and sensor. This synthesis approach provided a novel route to manufacture copper oxide nanomaterial.