Effect of Ag2O on cell viability of ZnO nanoparticle synthesized by low temperature solution synthesis process

Abstract

The synthesis, characterization and biomedical applications of mixed metal oxide is receiving increasing interest due to their property related specific applications. In this regard, ZnO and Ag2O have been applied for different biomedical applications individually but the effect of Ag2O on cell viability of ZnO has not been reported yet. The objective of this study is to see the effect of Ag2O nanoparticle on cell viability of ZnO nanoparticles synthesized by adopting a two-step low temperature solution process. X-ray diffraction study confirms the co-existence of ZnO and Ag2O phases. Transmittance electron microscopy has been used to characterize the morphological properties of the samples. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic analysis also confirms the formation of ZnO-Ag2O nanocomposite. The in vitro cytotoxicity with the help of MTT assay (upto a maximum of 200 μg/mL) on HeLa cell line approves thatthe ZnO-Ag2O (ZSO) nanocomposite is more biocompatible than the individual ZnO and Ag2O nanoparticle. This nanocomposite ZSO can be used as a vehicle for drug delivery systems.