Exploring the multifaceted potential of ZrO2 nanoparticles: sustainable synthesis, anticancer properties, and electrochemical insight

This work presents a comprehensive investigation into the sustainable synthesis and extensive characterization of zirconium oxide (ZrO₂) nanopowder. The study examines the anticancer properties of the synthesized nanoparticles as well as their electrochemical behavior using potentiodynamic polarization (PDP) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The fascinating attributes of ZrO₂ nanoparticles were elucidated through detailed analyses, including powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and UV–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis). PXRD analysis confirmed a monoclinic crystal structure with crystallite size within the range of 30–40 nm. FESEM reveals irregular shapes and agglomeration of particles, UV–vis showed absorption peak at 347 nm with an energy gap (Eg) of 3.16 eV and FT-IR studies reveals metal–oxygen bonds at 594 cm⁻¹. Additionally, electrochemical studies using PDP and EIS investigated the inhibition efficiency of nanoparticles dispersed in an acidic medium (1 M HCl). Anti-oncogenic studies conducted via MTT assay illustrated the efficacy of ZrO₂ NPs against the MDA-MB-231 cell line with an IC50 value of 22.56 µg/mL. Our findings underscore the versatile potential applications of ZrO₂ nanoparticles and provide significant new insights into their optical, structural, electrochemical, and anticancer properties.