Synergistic effects of nanosized supramolecular complex inlaid with silver nanoparticles: Catalysis, sensors, and biological activities

Abstract

Nanosized supramolecular complex (SC), {[Cu2(CN)3(phen)3]5H2O}, 1, inlaid with silver nanoparticles was synthesized and characterized by X‐ray powder diffraction (XRPD), Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectroscopy. The catalytic activity of Ag/SC1 nanocomposite as heterogeneous catalysts against methylene blue (MB) dye exhibits phenomenal degradation efficiency in presence of H2O2 under different conditions better than the nanosized SC1. Scavenger techniques proved that •OH radicals represent the main oxidant species for the mineralization of hazardous dyes. The photoluminescence property of Ag/SC1 nanocomposite demonstrates its remarkable ability to act as a high‐performance luminescent sensor towards nitrobenzene, Fe3+, Hg2+, and Sn2+ ions. In vitro cytotoxicity and cell viable activity of Ag/SC1 nanocomposite against a set of different human cancer cell lines shows that the highest level was recorded against hepatocellular carcinoma (HEPG‐2) cells. DNA binding ability of Ag/SC1 nanocomposite signifies that the composite has weak DNA binding activity. Antioxidant activity demonstrates that Ag/SC1 nanocomposite exhibits weak activity towards scavenging behavior of ABTS•+ and good anti‐hemolytic activity of red blood cells comparing with ascorbic acid. The antimicrobial activity of Ag/SC1 nanocomposite against some bacterial strains offered better antibacterial properties than the nanosized SC1.