SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF AG@ ZnO CORE SHELL NANOPARTICLES PREPARED BY PULSE LASER ABLATION TECHNIQUE: EVALUATION OF SKIN CANCER CELLS

Silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles with a core-shell structure were synthesized using pulsed laser ablation (Nd: YAG laser) in deionized water, a straightforward method requiring minimal lab conditions. The optical properties and energy gap were assessed via visible spectroscopy. Transmission electron microscopy identified the core-shell structure, spherical shape, and size (52 nm). Atomic force microscopy revealed semi-smooth surface roughness, whereas field emission scanning electron microscopy confirmed a homogeneous surface. X-ray diffraction provided ideal peak patterns for crystal size calculations. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy showed a higher ZnO content compared to Ag, indicating an effective coating of silver by zinc oxide to reduce toxicity. The high purity of the samples (only Ag and ZnO nanoparticles) ensured accurate property determination and biological effect assessment. The study leverages the anti-skin cancer properties of both nanoparticles: Ag nanoparticles, with their small size and large surface area, interact effectively with cancer cells but have high toxicity, which is mitigated by the ZnO coating. ZnO also contributes to anti-cancer activity by generating reactive oxygen species that disrupt cell membranes. Zeta potential analysis indicated a moderate electrostatic equilibrium with a value of -15.2 mV for the core-shell nanoparticles. MTT assay [which stands for 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] results on A375 skin cancer cell lines confirmed that these nanoparticles are effective at certain concentrations, showing minimal effect on normal cells, suggesting their potential as a drug for skin cancer.