Structural characterization of magnesium oxide nanoparticles used as a photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy

Skin cancer is characterized by the abnormal growth of epithelial cells. Among the various treatment options available, photodynamic therapy stands out for being a targeted and minimally invasive treatment for skin cancer, using a photosensitizing compound, specific light energy, and oxygen to destroy abnormal cells selectively. Oxide metallic nanoparticles, with their carefully engineered structures, homogeneity, and controlled diameters, hold great promise as photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy. These properties are crucial for enhancing light absorption, reactive oxygen species generation, and targeted delivery, making them effective tools for precise and efficient cancer treatment. In this work, the structural characterization of magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles, synthesized by coprecipitation method. The method was established using starch as a surfactant and varying its concentrations, in such a way that it was possible to carry out a study of the impact of starch on the formation of agglomerates, since its presence could affect the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and, consequently, its application against skin cancer. The MgO-NPs were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to analyze the morphology and grain size, X-ray diffraction (XRD) to confirm the peaks referring to the crystalline structure and both Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and RAMAN spectroscopy to determine the vibration bands referring to the Mg-O functional groups. The absorbance of MgO NPs, absorption spectrum of MgO indicates a band centered near 385 nm, indicating that photophysical processes occur in the UV region. Thus, preliminary results indicated the formation of MgO-NPs capable of playing as a photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy.