Unlocking the Antioxidant Potential of Sodium Molybdate Nanoparticles

Abstract

Sodium molybdate shows potential as an effective antioxidant, although limited studies on its antioxidant properties exist, and there are no reports concerning nanoparticles. In the present work we have synthesised for the first time sodium molybdate nanoparticles. The nanoparticles have been obtained using a thermal assisted exfoliation of MoS2 and NaOH as precursors. After thermal treatment at 200°C for 20 hours, sodium molybdate nanoparticles with an average dimension of 26 nm have been obtained. Intermediate treatment times give nanoparticles with a mixed composition, MoS2-Na2MoO4. The nanoparticles have been characterized using Raman and infrared spectroscopies, X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy and dynamic light scattering. The radical scavenging capability has been tested using 1,1 Diphenyl 2- Picryl Hydrazyl as molecular probe. Both pure Na2MoO4 and the heterostructured MoS2-Na2MoO4 nanoparticles have exhibited excellent radical scavenging activity in aqueous solutions, while the nanocomposite has shown an enhanced response. Another test has been conducted in solid state, introducing the nanoparticles within a mesoporous titania film matrix. The high photocatalytic activity of titania has been completely quenched by the presence of the sodium molybdate nanoparticles. In vitro studies using Hep G2 cells further confirmed the antioxidant capacity without inducing cytotoxicity in the tested conditions. These findings suggest that sodium molybdate nanoparticles are promising candidates for biomedical and environmental applications, particularly in reducing oxidative stress.