Synthesis, characterization and in vitro anticancer analysis of PEG-capped Mn-doped TiO2 nanoparticles against hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Abstract

In this study, polyethylene glycol (PEG)-functionalized bare and Mn (2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 wt%)-doped TiO₂ nanoparticles were synthesised by a sol–gel method and their anticancer efficacy was tested against human liver carcinoma (Huh7) cells. The spherical-like morphology was revealed by SEM and TEM micrographs, and measurements alongside with XRD show that the crystallites range in size from 7 to 10 nm. Optical measurements revealed that the absorption edge shifts towards the longer wavelength region in the case of Mn-doped TiO₂ nanoparticles, and thus the band gap energy value decreases as the Mn content increases. The prepared samples were tested for antibacterial activity against selective Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. Finally, the predominant Reactive Oxygen Species-mediated anticancer efficacies of the samples were tested against human liver hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines.