Natural polymer-mediated synthesis of magnesium oxide nanoparticles and examination of their cytotoxicity and photocatalytic activity

Magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO-NPs) were synthesized with polyanionic cellulose (PAC) as a stabilizer and reducing agent. According to the X-ray diffraction (XRD) results, the NPs have a cubic crystal structure and an average size of about 42 nm. The absorption spectra displayed a band at about 358 nm, approving the synthesis of MgO. Functional groups of NPs were determined by the FTIR spectrum. According to FESEM images, the morphology of NPs was spherical. EDX analysis approved that synthesized NPs contain elements such as Mg and O. The power of NPs to degrade methylene blue (MB) dye was assessed, and it was observed that the photocatalytic activity was about 93%. The toxicity effect of NPs on Huh-7 cells was tested, and the IC₅₀ amount was observed at about 338 ppm.