Ultrasound-based synthesis of ZnO·Ag 2 O 3 nanocomposite: characterization and evaluation of its antimicrobial and anticancer properties

In this research, a facile method using ultrasound waves was used to synthesize the ZnO·Ag2 nanocomposite. It was completely characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta potential. PXRD showed the synthesis of ZnO and Ag2O3 in hexagonal and orthorhombic crystal structure. Microscopic images confirmed the formation of cubic, hexagonal, rectangular and spherical morphologies. The DLS size analysis showed that the mean dynamic size of the nanocomposite was 100.5 nm. Agar diffusion method was used for antimicrobial test and the results showed high antibacterial activity of ZnO·Ag2O3 nanocomposite against two major classes of pathogenic bacteria (i.e., Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus). Anticancer properties of ZnO·Ag2O3 nanocomposite using MTT assay showed that ZnO·Ag2O3 nanocomposite is toxic for human liver cancer cell line (HepG2). This effect depends on time and concentration of ZnO·Ag2O3 nanocomposite. The cell toxicity effects of ZnO·Ag2O3 nanocomposite also examined against HDF normal cell, in which the data demonstrated the lower cytotoxicity of nanocomposite compared to the HepG2 cell line. These results support the potential application of ZnO·Ag2O3 nanocomposites in antimicrobial agents, liver carcinoma treatments and also merit future translational research.