Biocompatible Core-Shell-Structured Si-Based NiO Nanoflowers and Their Anticancer Activity.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Core-shell nanoflowers offer high surface area for enhanced bioactivity.
• Silicon-based nickel oxide (Si@NiO) nanoflowers are synthesized for novel therapeutic applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prepare and characterize Si@NiO core-shell nanoflowers.
• To investigate the electrochemical properties and anticancer activity of Si@NiO nanoflowers.

Main Methods:

• Modified chemical bath deposition and thermal reduction for synthesis.
• Characterization using PXRD, FT-IR, SEM, TEM, BET, BJT, and ICP-OES.
• Electrochemical analysis via ascorbic acid redox reaction to assess reactive oxygen species generation.

Main Results:

• Si@NiO nanoflowers were successfully synthesized with core-shell structure.
• Electrochemical studies revealed oxidative capacity of surface metal ions.
• Demonstrated excellent anticancer activity against MCF-7 cells with low cytotoxicity to MEFs.

Conclusions:

• Si@NiO nanoflowers possess significant anticancer potential.
• Therapeutic efficacy is attributed to surface oxidative capacity, not ion release.
• Si@NiO nanoflowers are promising candidates for future cancer therapeutics.