Facile Synthesis, Characterization, Photocatalytic Activity, and Cytotoxicity of Ag-Doped MgO Nanoparticles.

Zabnallah M Alaizeri,Hisham A Alhadlaq,Mabrook S Amer,Maqusood Ahamed,Saad Aldawood,Mohd Javed Akhtar

doi:10.3390/nano11112915

Abstract

Due to unique physicochemical properties, magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO NPs) have shown great potential for various applications, including biomedical and environmental remediation. Moreover, the physiochemical properties of MgO NPs can be tailored by metal ion doping that can be utilized in photocatalytic performance and in the biomedical field. There is limited study on the photocatalytic activity and biocompatibility of silver (Ag)-doped MgO NPs. This study was planned for facile synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic activity of pure and silver (Ag)-doped MgO NPs. In addition, cytotoxicity of pure and Ag-doped MgO NPs was assessed in human normal umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Pure MgO NPs and Ag-doped (1, 2, 5, and 7.5 mol%) MgO NPs were prepared via a simple sol-gel procedure. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), photoluminescence (PL), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to characterize the prepared samples. XRD results showed the preparation of highly crystalline NPs with no impurity peaks. TEM and SEM studies indicate smooth surfaces with almost spherical morphology of MgO NPs, and Ag-doping did not change the morphology. Elemental composition study suggested that Ag is uniformly distributed in MgO particles. Intensity of the PL spectra of MgO NPs decreased with increasing the concentration of Ag dopants. In comparison to pure MgO NPs, Ag-MgO NPs showed higher degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye under UV irradiation. The improved photocatalytic activity of Ag-MgO NPs was related to the effect of dopant concentration on reducing the recombination between electrons and holes. Cytotoxicity studies showed good biocompatibility of pure and Ag-doped MgO NPs with human normal umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). These results highlighted the potential of Ag-doped MgO NPs in environmental remediation.

Highlights

Physiochemical properties of magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO NPs) can be further tailored by metal ion doping, which can be utilized in photocatalysis and biomedical applications
magnesium oxide (MgO) and Ag (1%, 2%, 5%,7.5 mol%)-doped MgO NPs is at 2θ values 42.69◦, 42.75◦, 42.78◦, 42.81◦, and 42.91◦, respectively
This slight shifting of peaks to a higher angle could be due to integration of Ag in MgO NPs crystals

Summary

Introduction

Metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) have been used for various applications including electronics, catalysis, and biomedicines [1,2]. Studies are focusing on the use of appropriate transition metal ions to improve the photocatalytic activity of metal oxide. Magnesium oxide (MgO) has received great attention in a wide range of applications including catalytic [4], biomedical [5], and electronic [6,7] due to its unique physicochemical properties, inexpensive synthesis, and low toxicity [8]. Physiochemical properties of MgO NPs can be further tailored by metal ion doping, which can be utilized in photocatalysis and biomedical applications. Earlier studies showed that the photocatalytic properties of MgO NPs are lesser than TiO2 NPs. transition metal ion doping can improve these characteristics of MgO NPs for several applications [10,13,14]

Methods

Results

Conclusion