An Investigation of Physicochemical and Biological Properties of Rheum emodi-Mediated Bimetallic Ag-Cu Nanoparticles

An eco-friendly and cost-effective technique for the synthesis of R. emodi roots extract (RERE)-mediated bimetallic silvercopper nanoparticles (Ag-Cu NPs) with anticancer and antibacterial applications are reported in the present investigation. Ag- Cu NPs were characterized using different techniques such as UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) to reveal physicochemical properties. The XRD analysis illustrates the face-centered cubic crystallinity of Ag-Cu NPs with Fm (3) over barm space group and space group no. 225. FTIR analysis portrays that the phytochemicals present in the RERE play a key role in stabilizing the Ag-Cu NPs. The optical analysis was carried out through UV-Vis spectroscopy. TEM analysis shows that Ag-Cu NPs are spherical in dimension with an average particle size of range between 40 and 50 nm. SAED ring pattern of Ag-Cu NPs reveals the crystalline nature which completely complements the XRD studies. In the present study, anticancer and antibacterial activities were evaluated against breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231) and bacterial strains (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus).

Automated summary

This study reports an eco-friendly and cost-effective technique for synthesizing bimetallic silver-copper nanoparticles using R. emodi roots extract (RERE), with potential anticancer and antibacterial applications. The nanoparticles were thoroughly characterized using various techniques to understand their physicochemical properties.