Synthesis of Silver and Copper oxide nanoparticles using Ficus racemosa leaf extract: characterization, anticancer potential, and dye degradation efficacy

Abstract

Due to their economic and eco-friendly attributes, there has recently been a growing interest in phytochemicals as catalysts for synthesizing nanoparticles (NPs). The present study describes the synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) via green chemistry by utilizing Ficus racemosa (F. racemosa) leaf extract without using any harsh chemical reagents. Silver (Ag) NPs were synthesized through conventional and microwave-irradiation routes, while the NPs of Copper oxide (CuO) were synthesized through traditional synthetic routes. The average crystallite size was around 26 and 38 nm for Ag and CuO NPs, respectively, with highly crystalline properties. The peak of around 450 nm for Ag and 551 nm for CuO, respectively, provided evidence of their formation. The NPs synthesized via the conventional route had spherical morphology with sizes between 40–80 nm and 95–250 nm for Ag and CuO NPs, respectively. With a size range of 80–300 nm, Ag NPs synthesized via microwave irradiation had triangular, polygonal, and almost spherical shapes. Ag NPs synthesized via microwave irradiation had triangular, polygonal, and nearly spherical morphology with a size range of 80–300 nm. The cytotoxicity of NPs was assessed on the human lung cancer cell line (A549). With an IC50 value of 75 µg/mL, the studies revealed that both NPs displayed comparable activities. The catalytic dye degradation activity of Ag NPs was investigated using Bromophenol blue (BB), Methylene blue (MB), and Methyl orange (MO). Therefore, using green synthesis, the current pathway facilitates the environmentally favorable synthesis of NPs for anti-cancer and dye degradation applications.