Photodeposition mediated synthesis of silver-doped indium oxide nanoparticles for improved photocatalytic and anticancer performance.

Indium oxide nanoparticles (In 2 O 3 NPs) are being investigated for a number of applications including gas-sensing, environmental remediation, and biomedicine. We aimed to examine the effect of silver (Ag) doping on photocatalytic and anticancer activity of In 2 O 3 NPs. The Ag-doped (2%, 4%, and 6%weight) In 2 O 3 NPs were synthesized by the photodeposition method. Prepared samples were characterized via X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), UV-Vis spectroscopy, and the photoluminescence (PL). XRD data showed that Ag-doping increases the crystallinity of In 2 O 3 NPs. SEM and TEM images indicated that In 2 O 3 NPs have spherical morphology with smooth surfaces, and Ag-doping increases the size without affecting the particle's shape. XPS spectra showed the oxidation state and the presence of Ag in In 2 O 3 NPs. Band gap energy of In 2 O 3 NPs decreases with increasing the concentration of Ag (3.41 eV to 3.12 eV). The peak intensity of PL spectra of In 2 O 3 NPs also reduces with the increment of Ag ions suggesting the hindrance of the recombination rate of e - /h + . The photocatalytic activity was measured by the degradation of Rh B dye under UV irradiation. The degradation efficiency of Ag-doped (6%) In 2 O 3 NPs was 92%. Biochemical data indicated that Ag-doping enhances the anticancer performance of In 2 O 3 NPs against human lung cancer cells (A549). Moreover, Ag-doped In 2 O 3 NPs displayed excellent biocompatibility in normal human lung fibroblasts (IMR90). Overall, this study demonstrated that Ag-doping enhances the photocatalytic activity and anticancer efficacy of In 2 O 3 NPs. This study warrants further investigation on the environmental and biomedical applications of Ag-In 2 O 3 NPs.