Vitis Vinifera Assisted Synthesis of Isotropic NiO Nanoparticles: Investigation of Physicochemical Properties for Antibacterial and Anticancer Activities

Nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiO NPs) have been synthesised through a green combustion method, employing Vitis vinifera as a facilitating agent. The synthesised NiO nanoparticles undergo thermal treatment within the temperature range of 350°C to 450°C. This study delves into the physicochemical properties and biological applications of NiO nanoparticles that have undergone specific thermal treatment conditions. The XRD patterns demonstrated the presence of cubic Ni/NiO phases. The experimentally determined lattice parameter for the NiO phase is observed to lie within the range of 4.1737 to 4.1783 Å, whereas for the Ni phase, it is found to be between 3.5241 and 3.5280 Å. The observed variation in crystallite size indicates the occurrence of Ostwald ripening. The typical crystallite size for the NiO phase ranges from 21.2 to 22.1 nm, whereas for the Ni phase, it spans from 45.8 to 33.2 nm. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) demonstrated the thermal stability of NiO nanoparticles, as well as the effects of heat treatment. The values for Young’s modulus (Y), rigidity modulus (G), and bulk modulus (B) are approximately 122, 44, and 178 GPa, respectively. The investigation reveals that the elastic moduli exhibit an increase with the progression of sintering. The derived value of Poisson’s ratio (σ) at 0.385 suggests that the samples, both as-prepared and sintered, exhibit isotropic and compressible characteristics. The B/G ratio for both the as-prepared and sintered samples is approximately 4, suggesting a ductile characteristic inherent in the samples. The vibrational spectra of heat-treated NiO nanoparticles were subjected to analysis through Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The structural morphology of the samples exhibiting agglomeration is elucidated through FE-SEM micrographs. Moreover, the particle dimensions obtained via TEM correspond with the fluctuations in crystallite size observed following thermal treatment. The assessment of the antibacterial characteristics of green synthesised NiO nanoparticles was carried out against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial pathogens. Research into antibacterial properties has demonstrated that NiO nanoparticles synthesised via green combustion exhibit significant efficacy in suppressing bacterial proliferation. The research examined the possible cytotoxic impacts of NiO nanoparticles synthesised via green combustion on the A549 lung cancer cell line. The results demonstrate that the synthesised NiO nanoparticles display a toxicity effect on the A549 cancer cell line that is dependent on the dosage administered.