Nanohybrid Based on (Mn, Zn) Ferrite Nanoparticles Functionalized With Chitosan and Sodium Alginate for Loading of Curcumin Against Human Breast Cancer Cells

This study reports on the synthesis of Mn1 - xZnxFe2O4 (Mn, Zn ferrite) magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) as drug delivery carriers for effective therapeutic outcomes. The MNPs were prepared using the coprecipitation method, and their magnetic properties were investigated based on their composition. Among the compositions tested, Mn0.8Zn0.2Fe2O4 MNPs exhibited superparamagnetic properties with a saturation magnetization moment of 34.6 emu/g at room temperature (25°C). To enhance the water solubility of curcumin (Cur), known for its hydrophobic nature, it was successfully loaded onto alginate (Alg)/chitosan (Chit)@Mn0.8Zn0.2Fe2O4 nanoparticles (NPs). The nanocomposite was characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) which revealed a particle size of approximately 20 nm. The crystalline structure of the NPs was analyzed using X-ray diffraction, while Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), energy-dispersive X-ray, and map analysis techniques were employed for further characterization. In terms of drug release, there was an initial burst release of Cur (around 18%) within the first hour, followed by a slower release (approximately 61%) over the next 36 h. The anti-tumor properties of the Cur-loaded NPs were evaluated using the Methyl Thiazol Tetrazolium (MTT) assay and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The MTT assay confirmed a higher cytotoxic effect of Cur-loaded Alg/Chit@Mn0.8Zn0.2Fe2O4 NPs on the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line compared to free Cur, highlighting the significance of incorporating Cur into nano-sized carrier systems.

A Comparative and Critical Analysis for In Vitro Cytotoxic Evaluation of Magneto-Crystalline Zinc Ferrite Nanoparticles Using MTT, Crystal Violet, LDH, and Apoptosis Assay

Zinc ferrite nanoparticles (ZFO NPs) are a promising magneto-crystalline platform for nanomedicine-based cancer theranostics. ZFO NPs synthesized using co-precipitation method are characterized using different techniques. UV-visible spectroscopy exhibits absorption peaks specific for ZFO. Raman spectroscopy identifies Raman active, infrared active, and silent vibrational modes while Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopic (FTIR) spectra display IR active modes that confirm the presence of ZFO. X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD) exhibits the crystalline planes of single-phase ZFO with a face-centered cubic structure that coincides with the selected area electron diffraction pattern (SAED). The average particle size according to high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) is 5.6 nm. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) signals confirm the chemical states of Fe, Zn, and O. A superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) displays the magnetic response of ZFO NPs, showing a magnetic moment of 45.5 emu/gm at 70 kOe. These ZFO NPs were then employed for comparative cytotoxicity evaluation using MTT, crystal violet, and LDH assays on breast adenocarcinoma epithelial cell (MCF-7), triple-negative breast cancer lines (MDA-MB 231), and human embryonic kidney cell lines (HEK-293). Flow cytometric analysis of all the three cell lines were performed in various concentrations of ZFO NPs for automated cell counting and sorting based on live cells, cells entering in early or late apoptotic phase, as well as in the necrotic phase. This analysis confirmed that ZFO NPs are more cytotoxic towards triple-negative breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) as compared to breast adenocarcinoma cells (MCF-7) and normal cell lines (HEK-293), thus corroborating that ZFO can be exploited for cancer therapeutics.

Synthesizing nanoparticles of zinc and copper ferrites and examining their potential to remove various organic dyes through comparative studies of kinetics, isotherms, and thermodynamics

Nanoparticles of zinc ferrite (ZnFe₂O₄) and copper ferrite (CuFe₂O₄) were synthesized, and characterized, and these materials were applied for removal of organic dyes of alizarin yellow R (AYR), thiazole yellow G (TYG), Congo red (CR), and methyl orange (MO) from industrial wastewater through adsorption technique. Synthesis of ZnFe₂O₄ and CuFe₂O₄ was achieved through chemical co-precipitation method. These nanomaterials were characterized for physicochemical properties using XRD, FTIR, BET, VSM, DLS, Zeta-potential, and FESEM-EDX analytical instruments. BET surface areas of ZnFe₂O₄ and CuFe₂O₄ were 85.88 m²/g and 41.81 m²/g, respectively. Adsorption-influencing parameters including effect of solution pH, adsorbent quantity, initial concentration of dye pollutant, and contact time were examined. Acidic medium of the solution favored higher percentage of removal of dyes in wastewater. Out of different isotherms, Langmuir equilibrium isotherm showed the best fit with experimental data, indicating monolayer adsorption in the treatment process. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacities were found as 54.58, 37.01, 29.81, and 26.83 mg/g with ZnFe₂O₄, and 46.38, 30.06, 21.94, and 20.83 mg/g with CuFe₂O₄ for AYR, TYG, CR, and MO dyes, respectively. From kinetics analysis of the results, it was inferred that pseudo-second-order kinetics were fitting well with better values of coefficient of determination (R²). The removal of four organic dyes from wastewater through adsorption technique using nanoparticles of ZnFe₂O₄ and CuFe₂O₄ was observed to be spontaneous and exothermic. From this experimental investigation, it has been inferred that magnetically separable ZnFe₂O₄ and CuFe₂O₄ could be a viable option in removal of organic dyes from industrial wastewater.

Genetic algorithm-assisted artificial neural network modelling for remediation and recovery of Pb (II) and Cr(VI) by manganese and cobalt spinel ferrite super nanoadsorbent

MnFe₂O₄ and CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles were hydrothermally synthesized to examine their capability in adsorption of Pb (II) and Cr (VI). The adsorbents exhibited a high rate of adsorption, reaching 90% of their adsorption capacity in less than 30 min. Furthermore, the adsorption capability of the Magnetic Nanoparticles (MNPs) was noticeably greater at initial pollutant concentrations smaller than 40 mg/L. Maximum adsorption capacity on MnFe₂O₄ and CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles were 40 and 25.38 mg/g for Cr (VI) and 523.32 and 476.19 mg/g for Pb (II), respectively. A data-driven model of Artificial Neural Network was used for prediction of adsorption capacity at both equilibrium and non-equilibrium condition. The model parameters including the numbers of neuron (n = 7) and data portioning for training (49.5%), validation (40.5%), and testing (10%) were obtained using Genetic Algorithm. The results indicated that the model could predict the data with high accuracy (R² = 0.998). The input parameters were initial concentration, time, pH, temperature, adsorbent dosage, and other parameters that is dependent to the physico-chemical properties of ions and adsorbents' surface (ε, α₁, α₂). The mechanism involved in Cr(VI) and Pb(II) adsorption are electrostatic physisorption and a combination of ion exchange chemisorption and electrostatic physisorption, respectively. Desorption capability and adsorbent reuse capability were also examined.

Heterojunction of N/B/RGO and g-C3N4 anchored magnetic ZnFe2O4@ZnO for promoting UV/Vis-induced photo-catalysis and in vitro toxicity studies

To promote the low photocatalytic efficiency caused by the recombination of electron/hole pairs and widen the photo-response wavelength window, ZnFe₂O₄@ZnO-N/B/RGO and ZnFe₂O₄@ZnO-C₃N₄ ternary heterojunction nanophotocatalysts were designed and successfully prepared through a sol-gel technique. In comparison to bare ZnFe₂O₄ and ZnO, the ZnFe₂O₄-ZnO@N/B/RGO and ZnFe₂O₄@ZnO-C₃N₄ ternary products showed highly improved photocatalytic properties in the degradation of methyl orange (MO) under ultra-violet (UV) and visible light irradiation. Various physicochemical properties of the photocatalysts were evaluated through field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) techniques. The observations indicated that the ternary heterojuncted ZnFe₂O₄@ZnO-N/B/RGO absorbs lower energy visible light wavelengths, which is an enhancement in the photocatalytic properties of ZnFe₂O₄@ZnO loaded on reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanosheets and graphite-like carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄). This gives the catalyst photo-Fenton degradation properties.

M, Rawat P, Singh RN, Shahid M, Trivedi S, Gautam A, Zeeshan M. A new Zn(ii) MOF assembled from metal–organic cubes (MOCs) as a highly efficient adsorbent for cationic dyes

A new MOC [Zn₃(Tz)₂(tpa)₂(DMSO)₄] was synthesized. The cluster representation reveals an interwoven pcu 6/4/c1 sqc1 topological type. The MOC exhibits excellent water stability, recyclability, adsorption and separation abilities toward selected dyes.

NZF Nanoscale Particles: Synthesis, Characterization and its Effective Adsorption of Bromophenol Blue

The ferrospinels NixZn1_xFe2O4 (x = 0.0 and 0.6) nanoparticles (NPs) were successfully prepared by a sol-gel method and analyzed by TGA/DTA, XRD, SEM-EDS, UV-Vis-DRS, and pHIEP. The adsorption potential of NZF NPs towards the Bromophenol blue (BPB) dye was investigated. The batch adsorption efficiency parameters were studied including contact time, pH, initial dye concentrations and catalyst dosage. Results indicated that NZF crystallized in single-phase and exhibited smaller crystallite size (49 nm vs. 59.24 nm) than that of the pristine (ZF). The SEM analysis showed that the materials are elongated-like shape. NZF catalyst showed a red-shift of absorption bands and a more narrowed band gap (2.30 eV vs. 1.65 eV) as compared to ZF. The adsorption process was found to be highly dependent to the pH of the solution, dye concentration and adsorbent dose. Under optimum conditions of 5 mg.L–1 BPB, 0.5 g.L–1 NZF catalyst, pH = 6, and 25 °C, up to ≈ 86.30%  removal efficiency could be achieved after 60 min. Pseudo-second-order kinetic model gave the best fit with highest correlation coefficients (R2 ≥ 0.99). A high specific surface area, a stabilized dispersion state of NZF NPs and the electrostatic interaction between the BPB-2 anions and the NZF-H3O+active sites on NZF surface were believed to be the main factors that can be responsible for the high adsorption efficiency. Copyright © 2021 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).  

Comparative adsorption mechanism of doxycycline and Congo red using synthesized kaolinite supported CoFe2O4 nanoparticles

Kaolinite supported CoFe₂O₄ (KCF) was synthesized and employed to adsorb doxycycline (DOX), an antibiotic and Congo red (CR), a dye from aqueous solution. The prepared KCF nanocomposite was treated in a muffle furnace at 300, 500 and 700 °C, and thereafter characterized. X-ray diffractogram revealed structural damage of kaolinite and appearance of distinct peaks of CoFe₂O₄ with an increase in calcination temperature, while transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showed that CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles were supported on the lamellar surface of kaolinites. Comparative adsorption mechanism of the two targeted contaminants showed that adsorption of DOX was influenced by hydrogen bond and n-π interaction, while that of CR was due to hydrophobic interaction and hydrogen bond. However, the adsorption of the two contaminants was best fitted to the isotherm that was proposed by Langmuir, with a monolayer maximum adsorption capacity of 400 mg g^-1 at 333 K for DOX, and 547 mg g^-1 at 298 K for CR. The removal of DOX from aqueous solution was favored by an increase in temperature (endothermic), while that of CR was exothermic. Thermodynamics studies confirmed that the adsorption of the two contaminants is feasible and spontaneous. The presence of natural organic matter (NOM) did not affect the removal of the two contaminants. Regeneration and reusability study showed that KCF is economically viable. Therefore, introducing inorganic particles like cobalt ferrite into the matrix of kaolinites provides a composite with promising adsorption capacity.

Fabrication of highly visible-light-responsive ZnFe2O4/TiO2 heterostructures for the enhanced photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes

A novel visible-light-sensitive ZnFe₂O₄–TiO₂ photocatalyst was fabricated by coupling 0.2–2 wt% p-type ZnFe₂O₄ narrow bandgap material with n-type anatase TiO₂.

Simultaneous and rapid dye removal in the presence of ultrasound waves and a nano structured material: experimental design methodology, equilibrium and kinetics

Tin sulfide nanoparticles loaded on activated carbon (SnS-AC) were prepared and characterized by FE-SEM, XRD, FT-IR and EDX.