Biocompatible Nanodiamonds Derived from Coal Washery Rejects: Antioxidant, Antiviral, and Phytotoxic Applications
Anusuya Boruah, Kallol Roy, Ashutosh Thakur, Saikat Haldar, Rituraj Konwar, Prasenjit Saikia, Binoy K. Saikia
Abstract
High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Coal washery rejects (CWRs) are a major byproduct produced in coal washery industries. We have chemically derived biocompatible nanodiamonds (NDs) from CWRs toward a wide range of biological applications. The average particle sizes of the derived blue-emitting NDs are found to be in the range of 2–3.5 nm. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy of the derived NDs depicts the crystalline structure with a d -spacing of 0.218 nm, which is attributed to the 100 lattice plane of a cubic diamond. The Fourier infrared spectroscopy, zeta potential, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) data revealed that the NDs are substantially functionalized with oxygen-containing functional groups. Interestingly, the CWR-derived NDs exhibit strong antiviral properties (high inhibition of 99.3% with an IC 50 value of 7.664 μg/mL) and moderate antioxidant activity that widen the possibility of biomedical applications. In addition, toxicological effects of NDs on the wheatgrass seed germination and seedling growth showed minimal inhibition (<9%) at the highest tested concentration of 300.0 μg/mL. The study also provides intriguing prospects of CWRs for the creation of novel antiviral therapies.