X-ray/gamma absorption and Anticancer Properties of Fe2O3 nanoparticles

Abstract

The current study reports the synthesis of Fe${}_2$O${}_3$ NPs by the co-precipitation method and the evaluation of the anticancer activity and X-ray/gamma absorption study. PXRD analysis confirmed the formation of monophase trigonal-shaped NPs, and the average crystal size is computed using both Scherrer equation and W-h plot and found to be 45 nm and 54 nm respectively. The direct energy gap is computed from the Wood-Taucs plot and found to be 1.76 eV. FTIR analysis confirmed the functional groups present in NPs. Surface morphology studies confirmed by SEM and EDAX analysis confirmed the chemical composition. Anti-cancer studies verified the efficacy of Fe${}_2$O${}_3$ NPs in cell viability and cell death when compared with Cisplatin. Finally, a NaI(Tl) detector is used to evaluate Mass attenuation co-efficient of the X-ray and gamma radiation shielding characteristics. Shielding requirements are comparable to those for lead. Thus, the synthesized Fe${}_2$O${}_3$ nanoparticles can be used for anticancer activities, particularly in tailored drug delivery systems, and radiation shielding instead of toxic lead shielding.