Optimizing Titanium Carbide-Silver Oxide Nanostructures for Targeted Cancer Therapy: Synthesis, Functionalization, and In Vitro Evaluations

Introduction Cancer remains a significant health challenge, and nanoparticles (NPs) are promising candidates for cancer treatment due to their unique physicochemical properties and ability to selectively target tumour cells. Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials, such as MXenes, have attracted interest due to their electronic structures, optical properties, catalytic abilities, and exceptional physicochemical attributes. MXenes are highly suitable for surface functionalization or modification, and their unique properties make them promising candidates for various applications in the biological field. Silver-based compounds have shown remarkable potential in biomedical fields, with silver oxide (Ag₂O) NPs finding applications in various domains. The fabrication of titanium carbide (Ti₃C₂)-Ag₂O heterostructures has been investigated for their anti-cancer properties by conducting cell viability assays on different cell lines. Aim To synthesize and characterize Ti₃C₂-Ag₂O, and to assess its in vitro anti-cancer activity. Materials and methods Ti₃C₂ synthesis begins by dissolving Ti₃AlC₂ powder in a 50% v/v hydrofluoric (HF) acid solution, allowing the aluminium to be etched away. This process should be conducted with continuous stirring for 24 to 48 hours at ambient temperature. Following this, filter the resulting suspension to eliminate aluminium particles and HF, and subsequently wash the Ti₃C₂ MXene with distilled water until a neutral pH is attained. The MXene should then be dispersed in ethanol, and sonication in deionized (DI) water or an alternative solvent should be employed to achieve exfoliation into monolayer or few-layer MXenes. To prepare Ag₂O NPs, dissolve silver nitrate (AgNO₃) in DI water to create a 0.1 M solution, and concurrently prepare a separate 0.1 M sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution. Introduce the NaOH solution to the AgNO₃ while stirring until a precipitate is observed. The mixture should then be filtered, washed with distilled water, and the NPs dried at 60°C for 12 hours. To fabricate the MXene-Ag₂O composite, disperse the MXene nanoflakes in a solvent through sonication, incorporate the Ag₂O NPs, and stir the mixture for 24 hours. Finally, centrifuge the resultant mixture to isolate the composite, wash it with solvent, and dry it under vacuum conditions. Results The presence of Ag₂O particles on Ti₃C₂ nanosheets was observed, and the high crystallinity of the compound was confirmed through X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. These tests verified that the compound was free of impurities and exhibited anti-cancer properties. Conclusion The synthesis of Ti₃C₂ MXenes and Ag₂O NPs was achieved and confirmed through structural characterization methods, including SEM, XRD, and EDS. SEM provided detailed insights into the morphology and distribution of the nanostructures, while XRD and EDS verified their phase purity and elemental composition. Functionalization strategies were employed to enhance the stability and bioactivity of the nanocomposites. In vitro evaluations demonstrated promising anti-cancer activity, indicating that the Ti₃C₂-Ag₂O composites effectively target and inhibit cancer cell growth.