A novel approach towards biosynthesis of BiVO₄ nanoparticles and their anticancer, antioxidant, and photocatalytic activities

Nowadays, nanotechnology is a swiftly evolving technological discipline that comprises the development of novel nanomaterials. The present work discloses the novel green fabrication of BiVO₄ NPs using alkaline black water as a natural chelating agent. XRD, UV-DRS, FTIR, FESEM, EDX, and HRTEM analysis elucidated the physicochemical characteristics of biologically fabricated BiVO₄ NPs. The XRD disclosed the monoclinic scheelite structure of the NPs with a size of 31 nm. The synthesized BiVO₄ NPs exhibit a band gap of 2.35 eV, suitable for collecting visible light. FESEM revealed the quasi-spherical-shaped NP formation. The bioavailability of greenly produced BiVO₄ NPs was investigated using cell viability in cervical (HeLa) cancer cell lines. Also, the scavenging efficacy of the synthesized particles was tested through DPPH and ABTS assays. Besides, the photocatalytic potency of biogenically fabricated BiVO₄ NPs and the degradation potential were investigated with Methylene blue (MB) under visible light. Within 70 min of visible light exposure, 99% degradation of MB dye was observed. The findings showed that BiVO₄ NPs produced using a green approach offered potential for diverse biological and environmental applications.