Evaluation of photocatalytic performance and cytotoxic activity of green synthesized nickel ferrite nanoparticles

Magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) have widespread applications in magnetic storage, catalysis, and oil industries as well as medicine. Herein, nickel ferrite nanoparticles (NiFe2O4 NPs) were synthesized using torajabin aqueous solution and were identified by powder X-ray diffraction, vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and energy dispersive X-ray, field-emission scanning electron microscope and Raman spectroscopy. The results showed that the average particle size of synthesized spherical NPs was 40-60 nm while VSM analysis affirmed their ferromagnetic behavior. The cytotoxic analysis revealed a nontoxic behavior at concentrations below 200 mu g/ml on colon (HT-29) cell line. Photocatalytic activity of synthesized nickel ferrite NPs on methylene blue (MB), Rhodamine B, and acid orange 7 dyes were investigated under visible light radiation wherein they could remove 81.1% of MB in 120 min. Therefore, synthesized NPs can be an appropriate option for the remediation of environmental pollutants in a short span of time without the need for extreme conditions.