Photodeposition mediated synthesis of silver-doped indium oxide nanoparticles for improved photocatalytic and anticancer performance.

Indium oxide nanoparticles (InO NPs) are being investigated for a number of applications including gas-sensing, environmental remediation, and biomedicine. We aimed to examine the effect of silver (Ag) doping on photocatalytic and anticancer activity of InO NPs. The Ag-doped (2%, 4%, and 6%weight) InO NPs were synthesized by the photodeposition method. Prepared samples were characterized via X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), UV-Vis spectroscopy, and the photoluminescence (PL). XRD data showed that Ag-doping increases the crystallinity of InO NPs. SEM and TEM images indicated that InO NPs have spherical morphology with smooth surfaces, and Ag-doping increases the size without affecting the particle's shape. XPS spectra showed the oxidation state and the presence of Ag in InO NPs. Band gap energy of InO NPs decreases with increasing the concentration of Ag (3.41 eV to 3.12 eV). The peak intensity of PL spectra of InO NPs also reduces with the increment of Ag ions suggesting the hindrance of the recombination rate of e/h. The photocatalytic activity was measured by the degradation of Rh B dye under UV irradiation. The degradation efficiency of Ag-doped (6%) InO NPs was 92%. Biochemical data indicated that Ag-doping enhances the anticancer performance of InO NPs against human lung cancer cells (A549). Moreover, Ag-doped InO NPs displayed excellent biocompatibility in normal human lung fibroblasts (IMR90). Overall, this study demonstrated that Ag-doping enhances the photocatalytic activity and anticancer efficacy of InO NPs. This study warrants further investigation on the environmental and biomedical applications of Ag-InO NPs.