Abstract
This work describes an eco-friendly approach for in situ immobilization of Cu nanoparticles on the surface of lignin modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles, without using any toxic reducing and capping agents. The structure, morphology, and physicochemical properties were characterized by various analytical techniques such as Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), inductively coupled plasma (ICP) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The Fe3O4/Lignin/Cu NPs was proven to be highly efficient nanocatalyst for reduction of nitroarenes. The reaction was performed in water medium and excellent yields of the products were achieved. The nanocatalyst was easily magnetically recovered and recycled 8 times without any significant loss of catalytic activity. While studying the biological activity, cell viability of Fe3O4/Lignin/Cu NPs was very low against A549 lung cancer cells without any cytotoxicity on the normal cell line. The viability of lung cancer cell line reduced dose-dependently in the presence of Fe3O4/Lignin/Cu nanocomposite. The IC50 of Fe3O4/Lignin/Cu nanocomposite was32 µg/mL against A549 cell line.