Insights into the structural, biomedical, and photocatalytic properties of eco-friendly synthesized ZnCr2O4 nanoparticles
TL;DR
Green-synthesized ZnCr2O4 NPs have intriguing photocatalytic, antibacterial, and biological properties, making them attractive for environmental remediation and medicinal purposes.
Abstract
This study presents an advantageous, bioengineered protocol for the fabrication of ZnCr2O4 NPs employing sprouted wheat (Triticum aestivum) extract. This offers a sustainable alternative for environmental remediation through photocatalytic activity, as well as antibacterial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant potential. XRD validated the single-phase production of ZnCr2O4 NPs, with a mean crystallite size of 15.72 nm. The optical properties of ZnCr2O4 NPs were studied using UV-DRS, which showed a band gap of 2.31 eV. FESEM and HRTEM indicated a tower-like architecture with quasi-spherical features, and EDS confirmed elemental purity. The obtained nanoparticles showed excellent photocatalytic activity, degrading gentian violet (GV) dye by 92.7% in 30 min at a catalyst concentration of 0.40 g L−1 and a rate constant of 0.0587 min−1. The as-prepared ZnCr2O4 NPs demonstrated substantial antibacterial performance against E. coli and K. pneumoniae, with E. coli showing greater sensitivity. Cytotoxicity experiments revealed a dose-dependent reduction in MCF-7 cell viability, with an IC50 value of 129.2 µg mL−1. Additionally, antioxidant assays revealed IC50 values of 75.11 µg mL−1 (ABTS) and 77.12 µg mL−1 (DPPH), as well as remarkable anti-inflammatory activity. Green-synthesized ZnCr2O4 NPs have intriguing photocatalytic, antibacterial, and biological properties, making them attractive for environmental remediation and medicinal purposes.