Photocatalytic,antibacterial and anticancer activity of silver-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles

Silver-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles (Ag-ZnO NPs) were successfully synthesized by the Sol-gel method coated with polyethylene glycol as a stabilizing and capping agent. The UV–Vis spectrophotometer analysis was done to analyze the optical property of the nanoparticles. XRD pattern showed the hexagonal structure of ZnO nanoparticles and the reduction in the intensity of the peaks of Ag-ZnO NPs indicates the incorporation of Ag⁺ ions in the ZnO lattices. The surface structural properties of the NPs were confirmed by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM), High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM) and Selected Area Electron Diffraction (SAED). The elemental composition of nanoparticles was confirmed by EDAX and XRF-Spectroscopy. The functional group of ZnO and Ag nanoparticles were determined by FT-IR spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of Ag-ZnO NPs was studied against ponceau and the maximum degradation percentage was observed to be 89% at 140 min. Further, Ag-ZnO NPs unveiled high potent antibacterial activity against the selected bacterial pathogens and it also rendered significant anticancer activity in UVB-induced HaCaT cells. Consequently, the fluorescent microscopic analysis confirmed the increasing Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) generation and Mitochondrial Membrane Potential (MMP) loss in the HaCaT cells that leads to the apoptosis induction. Hence, the selected combination of nanoparticles has proven to exhibit higher photocatalytic, antibacterial and anticancer activity. In the near future, it could be an efficient tool for eradicating the dye pollution from wastewater and also preferably be utilized in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries to prevent skin cancer.