Green synthesis of LAE@ZnO/Ag nanoparticles: Unlocking the multifaceted potential for biomedical and environmental applications

Abstract

This study presents a green synthesis method for producing ZnO/Ag nanoparticles using Launaea acanthodes extract (LAE@ZnO/Ag NPs). The as-synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using DLS, EDS, TEM, FESEM, FT-IR, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. FESEM and TEM analysis revealed oval-spherical LAE@ZnO/Ag NPs with an average size of approximately 40–55 nm. The photocatalytic efficiency of LAE@ZnO/Ag NPs was evaluated by studying the degradation of Gentamicine (GT) as a model pollutant under UV and visible light irradiations. Key parameters, such as nanocatalyst dose, the initial concentration of GT, and the light source, were investigated to determine the optimal conditions for achieving maximum degradation. The most effective degradation of GT was achieved using LAE@ZnO/Ag NPs, which exhibited degradation efficiencies of 94.2 % under UV irradiation and 83.7 % under visible light irradiation at a nanocatalyst dosage of 0.6 g/l and an initial antibiotic concentration of 5 ppm. The DPPH assay demonstrated the efficient scavenging of DPPH free radicals, with LAE@ZnO/Ag NPs achieving a remarkable scavenging rate of up to 93 %. Furthermore, the nanoparticles exhibited anticancer activity and cytotoxicity against NALM-6 and human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cell lines. Additionally, the nanoparticles were evaluated for their antibacterial and antifungal activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains, showing remarkable efficacy particularly against E. coli and K. pneumoniae strains. The findings of this study indicate that LAE@ZnO/Ag NPs hold substantial promise for diverse applications in society, encompassing pollutant degradation, antibacterial attributes, and the advancement of anti-cancer drug development.