Effect of silver ion-doped-(ZnFe1.95Ce0.05O4/10% graphene) nanocomposite on structural, coercivity, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer activities

Abstract

Ag_x-doped Zn_1−xFe_1.95Ce_0.05O₄/10% graphene (x = 0, 0.025, 0.05, 0.075, and 0.1) ferrite nanostructures were prepared using the sol–gel/auto-combustion method. The crystallinity and structure of the samples were analysed using XRD, EDX, FT-IR spectroscopy, SEM, HR-TEM and SAED analyses. The results reveal that the crystallite size and grain size of the prepared samples ranged from ∼35.81 to 59.7 nm. VSMs are measured over an applied magnetic field (H) range of ±20 kG. M_s values seem to be low, while the coercivity values ranged from ∼148.80 to 86.12 Oe. Meanwhile, the biological activity improved with increasing silver content in NPs, affecting component antibacterial activity, scavenging effects, and cytotoxicity in the Hep-G cell line. The antimicrobial inhibition of the nanocomposite was recorded at 71% against Gram-positive bacteria and 5% against Gram-negative bacteria, while no activity was recorded against fungi. Notably, the antioxidant effect was promising, as the tested NC exhibited DPPH scavenging activity. Increasing the silver content in NCs by adding 0.05 Ag decreased the IC₅₀ by 41.5%, and doubling the Ag content further reduced it by 79.5%. Overall, silver had a significant impact on cancer cell viability since the IC₅₀ decreased by 71% with 0.05 Ag added to the NCs and by 80% with 0.1 Ag added. The prepared NCs exhibit antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticancer properties, making them suitable biomaterials for versatile medical applications.