Nature-Inspired Ag/TiO₂ Nanoparticles: Fighting Drug Pollution and Infections Sustainably
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The increasing demand for sustainable nanomaterials has driven the development of green synthesis methods for metal oxide nanoparticles. This study reports the biosynthesis of silver-doped titanium oxide (Ag/TiO₂) nanoparticles using Beta vulgaris (beetroot) leaf extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent. The nanoparticles were thoroughly characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, XRD, FTIR, SEM, TEM, EDS, and DLS, confirming their structural, morphological, and compositional properties. The Ag/TiO₂ nanoparticles exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity in the degradation of pharmaceutical pollutants, attributed to improved charge separation and reduced electron-hole recombination. Additionally, the nanoparticles demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Cytotoxicity assessments via the MTT assay revealed selective anticancer effects against cancer cell lines while maintaining biocompatibility with normal cells. These findings highlight the dual functionality of green-synthesized Ag/TiO₂ nanoparticles as efficient photocatalysts for environmental remediation and promising biomedical agents for antimicrobial and anticancer applications. The study underscores the potential of plant-mediated synthesis in producing sustainable, multifunctional nanomaterials.
